Trump Backs Away from Mexico and Canada Tariffs, Focuses on China

By David Alire Garcia, Trevor Hunnicutt and David Ljunggren

U.S. President Donald Trump backed away from his threat to impose steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada on Monday, leaders of those countries said, but U.S. tariffs on China were still due to take effect within hours.

Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said they had agreed to bolster border enforcement efforts in response to Trump’s demand to crack down on immigration and drug smuggling. That would pause 25% tariffs due to take effect on Tuesday for 30 days, both leaders said.

Trudeau said Canada would deploy new technology and personnel along its border with the United States to stop the flow of fentanyl. There was no immediate confirmation from the White House, but Trump told reporters that a phone call with Trudeau went “very well.”

Mexico agreed to reinforce its northern border with 10,000 National Guard members to stem the flow of illegal migration and drugs.

The agreement also includes a U.S. commitment to prevent trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said. The two leaders spoke by phone on Monday, just hours before U.S. tariffs on Mexico, China, and Canada were set to take effect. Economists say the steep levies would cause widespread economic harm, including increased prices for U.S. businesses and consumers.

The U.S. and Mexico will use the month-long suspension to engage in further negotiations, Trump said on social media.

“I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two Countries,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“We have this month to work and convince each other that this is the best way forward,” Sheinbaum said at a press conference.

The agreement came less than 48 hours after Trump announced sweeping tariffs on goods from the top three U.S. trading partners, accounting for $2.1 trillion of annual commerce. The about-face was emblematic of the often chaotic nature of the early days of his second presidency.

Trump warned on Monday he might increase tariffs on Beijing beyond the 10% he imposed and that he would discuss the matter with the Chinese government’s leadership in the next day or so.

“China hopefully is going to stop sending us fentanyl, and if they’re not, the tariffs are going to go substantially higher,” he said.

The tariffs on China remain poised to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday (0501 GMT Wednesday).

The latest twist in the saga sent the Canadian dollar soaring after slumping to its lowest in more than two decades. The news also gave U.S. stock index futures a lift after a day of losses on Wall Street.

EU Next Target?

Trump suggested on Sunday the 27-nation European Union would be his next target, but did not say when.

“They don’t take our cars, they don’t take our farm products. They take almost nothing and we take everything from them,” he told reporters.

EU leaders at an informal summit in Brussels on Monday said Europe would be prepared to fight back if the U.S. imposes tariffs, but also called for reason and negotiation. The U.S. is the EU’s largest trade and investment partner.

Trump hinted that Britain, which left the EU in 2020, might be spared tariffs, saying: “I think that one can be worked out”.

Trump, who acknowledged over the weekend that the tariffs could cause some short-term pain for U.S. consumers, nevertheless has argued the tariffs are needed to curb immigration and narcotics trafficking and spur domestic industries.

Trump’s tariffs would cover almost half of all U.S. imports and would require the United States to more than double its own manufacturing output to cover the gap – an unfeasible task in the near term, ING analysts wrote.

Other analysts said the tariffs could throw Canada and Mexico into recession and trigger “stagflation” – high inflation, stagnant growth, and elevated unemployment – at home.

China called fentanyl America’s problem and said it would challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization and take other countermeasures, but also left the door open for talks.

(Reporting by David Alire Garcia, Stefanie Eschenbacher and Brendan O’Boyle in Mexico City; Andrea Shalal, Jarrett Renshaw, David Lawder, Trevor Hunnicutt, Nandita Bose, Daphne Psaledakis, Douglas Gillison, Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey in Washington; Promit Mukherjee in Ottawa; Kevin Krolicki and Qiaoyi Li in Beijing; Josephine Mason in London; Bart H. Meijer, Alessandro Parodi, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Andrew Gray, Sudip Kar-Gupta and Geert De Clerq in Europe; Writing by Joseph Ax, Jeff Mason and Andy Sullivan; Editing by Alistair Bell, Lisa Shumaker and Rosalba O’Brien)

the title: “The Benefits of Mindfulness in a Fast-Paced World”

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed by the constant demands of work, family, and other responsibilities. However, incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine can have numerous benefits for your mental and physical well-being.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. It involves focusing on the present moment and acknowledging and accepting your emotions without trying to change or suppress them.

One of the key benefits of mindfulness is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. By taking the time to slow down and focus on the present moment, you can calm your mind and body and reduce the negative effects of stress on your health. Studies have shown that mindfulness can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and improve overall well-being.

In addition to reducing stress, mindfulness can also improve your focus and concentration. By practicing mindfulness, you can train your mind to stay present and focused on the task at hand, rather than being distracted by worries or concerns. This can lead to increased productivity and efficiency in your work and daily activities.

Furthermore, mindfulness has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health. By cultivating awareness and acceptance of your thoughts and emotions, you can develop a greater sense of self-compassion and resilience. This can help you cope with difficult emotions and experiences and build emotional strength and resilience over time.

In conclusion, incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine can have numerous benefits for your mental and physical well-being in today’s fast-paced world. By taking the time to slow down, focus on the present moment, and cultivate awareness and acceptance, you can reduce stress, improve focus and concentration, and enhance your overall mental health. So why not give mindfulness a try and see the positive effects it can have on your life?