BREAKING: Canada to implement $1.3 BILLION border plan, tariffs delayed 30 days

"I just had a good call with President Trump," Trudeau wrote. "Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology, and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border. In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-US Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, and we will be backing it with $200 million. Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together."

The announcement follows an earlier conversation between Trudeau and US President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the escalating trade dispute and border security concerns. Trump's remarks on the issue had drawn scrutiny after he posted on Truth Social, "Canada doesn’t even allow US banks to open or do business there. What’s that all about? Many such things, but it’s also a DRUG WAR, and hundreds of thousands of people have died in the U.S. from drugs pouring through the Borders of Mexico and Canada. Just spoke to Justin Trudeau. Will be speaking to him again at 3:00 PM." Major US banks such as JPMorgan Chase and Citibank do operate in Canada.

The White House had previously announced that new tariffs—25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, 10% on imports from China, and a lower 10% on Canadian energy—would take effect on February 4.

Neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor the White House immediately released a formal readout of the leaders' conversation, but officials from both countries are expected to meet in the coming days to solidify the details of the agreement.

Trump has made drug trafficking a central issue in his trade and border policies, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data paints a more nuanced picture. According to Forbes, CBP apprehended 23,721 people illegally crossing the U.S.-Canada border in Fiscal Year 2024—just 1.5% of all nationwide Border Patrol apprehensions. In contrast, the U.S.-Mexico border saw more than 1.5 million apprehensions in the same period.

With the 30-day tariff delay in place, it remains to be seen whether Canada’s new border security measures will satisfy US demands. Earlier today, Mexico also announced that it would be putting troops along its border, with tariffs delayed there by 30 days as well. Trump posted to Truth Social, "I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country."

He added, "We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations 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."

Sheinbaum also posted about the conversation on X that President Doanld Trump has agreed to pause tariffs for a month on Mexico as it takes steps to reinforce its border with the United States.

Sheinbaum posted on X in Spanish, translated to English, “We had a good conversation with President Trump with great respect for our relationship and sovereignty.” She added that 10,000 Mexican troops will be used to reinforce the border and that the US is “pausing tariffs for one month from now.”

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