U.S. President Donald Trump signed three executive orders on Saturday following through on his promise to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on goods from China, a measure that targets the nation’s three largest trading partners.

The tariffs are set to go into effect on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. The orders contained no language allowing for the negotiation of exceptions; however, Canadian energy products including oil and gas will only face a tariff of 10%.

“Tariffs are an important strategic economic tool, but Trump’s desire for a trade war with Canada and Mexico won’t protect jobs, keep Americans safe, or bring down costs for families,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said on social media in response to the news.

A White House Fact Sheet announcing the tariffs said that the crossing of undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs — including fentanyl — over the Mexican and Canadian borders “constitutes a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.”

“President Trump is taking bold action to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other illegal drugs from flowing into our country,” the fact sheet said.

However, it is unclear exactly what actions the targeted countries could take to lift the tariffs.

U.S. voters’ frustration with inflation has been cited as an important reason why Trump won the 2024 presidential election. Yet broad tariffs are expected to raise the prices of a variety of goods including Mexican produce, Canadian lumber, and car-making supplies that often cross both borders several times in the construction of a vehicle, according to NBC News. Companies that import goods or supplies will have to decide whether to swallow the costs or pass them on to consumers.

“Small business owners like me are working hard to keep up with high costs, provide for our families, and keep the economy running,” Alex Bronson, who owns a construction business in Mount Clemens, Michigan, said in a statement shared by Unrig Our Economy. “But after promising to lower our costs, Republicans seem set to deliver the opposite. Because of........

© Truthout