Trump Pauses Tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but China Faces Trade War Escalation
Temporary Relief for Canada and Mexico
The breakthrough with Canada came after last-minute calls between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In exchange for pausing tariffs, Trudeau committed to bolstering border security, particularly in curbing illegal migration and the flow of fentanyl—a, a powerful synthetic opioid that has been a growing concern in the U.S. Canada is investing $1.3 billion in new border measures, including deploying nearly 10,000 personnel and increasing intelligence-sharing efforts with U.S. authorities.
Similarly, Mexico avoided tariffs by agreeing to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the need for cooperation while asserting her country’s sovereignty in the negotiations.
🚨🇲🇽🇺🇸 MEXICO’S PRESIDENT: WE ARE DEPLOYING 10,000 TROOPS TO THE BORDER, TARIFFS HIT PAUSE
After a “good” call with Trump, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Mexico is sending 10,000 National Guard troops to the border to crack down on drug trafficking.
In exchange, the U.S.… pic.twitter.com/Zs0936XpT0
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 3, 2025
Source: BBC
China Hit with Tariffs, Retaliation Follows
Unlike its North American neighbors, China faced no delay in U.S. tariffs. A 10% tax on Chinese imports took effect as scheduled, and Beijing swiftly responded by imposing tariffs on key American exports, including coal, crude oil, and agricultural machinery. Trump signaled that this was merely the “opening salvo” and warned that tariffs could increase further if China does not agree to new trade terms.
The Impact of Tariffs on Future Trends
Recent tariff policies have significantly impacted the cryptocurrency market, affecting Bitcoin (BTC) prices and BTC dominance. However, despite these challenges, institutional investors continue to accumulate Bitcoin. Metaplanet recently acquired an additional 497 BTC, and El Salvador’s President remains committed to purchasing more Bitcoin despite pressure from the IMF. Moreover, Bitcoin has filled the CME gap and is expected to see a slight recovery to the $91,000 – $96,000 range before a potential major correction. Investors should closely monitor market trends to adjust their trading strategies accordingly.
What’s Next?
While Canada and Mexico have secured a temporary reprieve, uncertainty remains. Some Canadian leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have cautioned that tariffs could return at any time, calling Trump’s approach “chaotic.” Meanwhile, Trump has hinted that the European Union could be his next target for trade measures, though the U.K. may be spared.
With global markets reacting to the escalating tensions, businesses and policymakers will be closely watching the next moves in this high-stakes trade chess match.