President Donald Trump has approved a request to exempt automobiles from tariffs that have been imposed on imports from Canada and Mexico for the next month.
According to the USA Today, the White House made the announcement Wednesday after three of the largest U.S. car manufacturers, including General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, made the appeal to the Trump administration.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move came “so they are not at an economic disadvantage,” however, she noted that reciprocal tariffs on both nations will still come into effect April 2.
“They requested the call. They made the ask,” Leavitt said of the automobile makers. “And the president is happy to do it.”
USA Today further reported the decision came after a trade war was sparked at the announcement 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico.
During his State of the Union address to Congress Tuesday night, Trump said the tariffs are in response to Canada and Mexico doing little to nothing to address border security on their respective borders, which has allowed deadly fentanyl to pour across the border and into the U.S.
Leavitt told reporters Wednesday that there aren’t many people who haven’t been touched by fentanyl and the horrific impact that it has on society.
“Everybody in this room, I’m sure, everybody watching at home, everybody across the country, knows someone in our lives who has been killed at the hands of this deadly poison. There needs to be repercussions for that, and the president feels very strongly about it,” she said.
One reporter asked what “Canada needs to do” after he claimed that only 43 pounds of fentanyl came across the Canadian border and into the U.S. in 2024.
“Well, I just told you. Last year alone, there was a 2000% increase in illegal fentanyl … You’re asking me for what the president’s justification is for these tariffs. It’s not up to you, you’re not the president, Gabe,” she responded.
Leavitt added that she found the comments “disrespectful” to the families if those who have overdosed on fentanyl.
“Frankly, I think it’s a little bit disrespectful to the families who have lost loved ones at the hands of this deadly poison,” Leavitt said. “If you talk to them, and this president has, they are grateful that they finally have a president who is standing up to both Canada and Mexico, and most importantly, to China as well.”
China has been the hot spot for fentanyl manufacturing, despite the country having the death penalty for drug dealers.
“The president added an additional 10% tariff on China, because this deadly poison is being produced in that country, its being disrupted through our neighbors and there needs to be consequences for that. Period,” Leavitt said.
