Washington, 31 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The United States is set to introduce tariffs of 25% on goods from Mexico and Canada on Saturday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Friday that the duties are to take effect, along with a 10% tariff on Chinese products.

Leavitt said the tariffs were in response to the three countries allowing illegal drugs to enter the US.

Trump originally wanted to introduce the duties on the first day of his presidency, but he then set a deadline of February 1.

The punitive measures could yet be averted by last-minute negotiations.

Trump won November's presidential election promising to slap high tariffs on foreign goods. He previously implemented a number of duties during his first term from 2017 to 2021.