Trump pushes enforcement date to April for Canada, Mexico tariffs

President Donald Trump said Wednesday during his first cabinet meeting that he “not stopping” tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods but the start date has been delayed.

When Trump first took office, he threatened to implement tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico but delayed them after having a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Trump tied the tariffs to illegal immigration and the fentanyl flow into the U.S. from other countries. He delayed the start from early February to March 4, and now to April 2, according to CNN.

“April 2nd for everything,” he answered when asked by a reporter when the tariffs would go into effect.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that the U.S. has a "fentanyl-related pause" in reference to the tariffs. 

He also said Canada and Mexico have to prove to the president that they’ve satisfied him to that regard," Lutnick said. "If they have, he’ll give them a pause."