US President Donald Trump has postponed for one month the 25% tariffs on vehicles entering the United States from Mexico and Canada, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Wednesday .
“We are going to give a one-month exemption to any car that goes through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (T-MEC) . The reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2, but at the request of the companies associated with the T-MEC, the president is giving them a one-month exemption so that they are not at an economic disadvantage,” the official said.
The move comes after Trump held talks with the three largest US manufacturers ( Ford , Stellantis and General Motors ). Another meeting is reportedly scheduled for Wednesday at the White House
“We have spoken with the three major car dealers. We are going to give a one-month exemption to any car that arrives through the USMCA,” the spokeswoman said at a press conference.
He added that reciprocal tariffs will continue to take effect on April 2.
“But at the request of the companies associated with the T-MEC , the president is giving them an exemption for one month so that they are not at an economic disadvantage,” he stressed.
Earlier, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Trump would update his tariff plans with an announcement in the afternoon that would possibly exempt some sectors, including the automotive sector.
“There will be tariffs, let’s be clear, but what you’re looking at is what sections of the market might have relief until we get to, of course, April 2,” Lutnick said.
In an interview with an American media outlet, he pointed out that Mexico and Canada are showing more ways to try to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States, “and if they can stop the flow of fentanyl, the president has an open mind.”
Trump’s proposed imposition of 25% tariffs on various Mexican products came into effect on March 4, after having been postponed for a month following an agreement with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to curb illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking to the United States.
In response, Sheinbaum called for an informational meeting for next Sunday, March 9 at 12:00 noon in the Zócalo of Mexico City, in which she will share the actions that her government will undertake.
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