Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Mexico, but import taxes still in place for Canada and China

Trump and Mexican President Sheinbaum pause tariffs, deploy troops, and plan negotiations to address drug trafficking and border policies.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum put their planned tariffs on hold Monday (February 3, 2025) for a month to give time for further negotiations, and Mexico said it planned to deploy 10,000 members of its national guard to address drug trafficking.

Mr. Trump’s tariffs against Canada and China were still slated to go into effect Tuesday, but uncertainty remained about the durability of any deals and whether the tariffs were a harbinger of a broader trade war, as Mr. Trump has promised more import taxes to come.

The U.S. and Mexican leaders announced the pause after what Mr. Trump described on social media as a “very friendly conversation,” and he said he looked forward to the upcoming talks.

Mr. Trump said the talks would be headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and high-level representatives of Mexico.

“I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two Countries,” the President said.

As a condition ahead of the talks, Ms. Sheinbaum laid out changes in border policies, and Mr. Trump confirmed Mexico's deployment of troops.

“Mexico will reinforce the northern border with 10,000 members of the National Guard immediately, to stop drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, in particular fentanyl," Ms. Sheinbaum posted on X.