Washington, 4 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump is standing firm on the announced tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada.

"They’re all set. They go into effect tomorrow," Trump said on Monday in Washington, in response to a question about whether there was still a chance for an agreement. He stated that there was no room for the two neighbouring countries to find a solution.

After a 30-day pause, Trump said tariffs of 25% are set to come into force on Tuesday for goods from Canada and Mexico. Energy resources from Canada will have a lower 10% tariff.

Last week, the US president also said that additional tariffs of 10% on goods from China are to be imposed on Tuesday as well.

Later on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, should US tariffs come into effect, Canada would introduce matching 25% tariffs on up to $155 billion ($107 billion US) in imports from the US.

"Canada will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered," Trudeau said in a statement.

Canada would start with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, with tariffs imposed on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days' time, Trudeau said.

"Our tariffs will remain in place until the US trade action is withdrawn, and should US tariffs not cease, we are in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures," he added.

He urged the US administration to reconsider its tariffs and said Canada "remains firm" in standing up for its economy, jobs and workers.

He warned that the tariffs imposed by the US would mean Americans would pay more for groceries, gas and cars, and potentially cost thousands of jobs.

"Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term," Trudeau said.

In early February, the White House said the tariffs were in response to Canada, Mexico and China allowing illegal drugs to enter the US.

Trump then conceded to demands from the neighbours just hours before the threatened punitive tariffs were due to come into effect.

This averted a North American trade war with uncertain consequences for the global economy, at least for the time being. However, the US government imposed additional tariffs of 10% on imports from China. Beijing countered with reciprocal measures.

Photo: EPA