The White House has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose a sweeping 25% tariff on Canadian imports is set to proceed as scheduled on March 4, pending ongoing negotiations.
A White House official stated that while discussions continue, there are no updates on any potential resolution. “As of now, we don’t have any developments or progress to share, so they are still moving ahead as the president indicated,” the official said.
Canada had secured a temporary 30-day delay earlier this month following direct appeals from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In two phone calls with President Trump, Trudeau presented Canada’s strategy to address border security concerns and combat the ongoing fentanyl crisis—key issues the U.S. administration has linked to the tariffs.
President Trump has indicated that additional tariffs are in the pipeline, including new duties on steel and aluminum set for March 12 and so-called “reciprocal tariffs” slated for early April. However, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump appeared to conflate the timelines of the proposed tariffs, suggesting that the 25% levies on Canadian and Mexican imports would take effect on April 2.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later clarified that the original March 4 implementation date remains in place. He characterized the tariffs as “fentanyl-related,” noting that at the end of the 30-day period, Canada must demonstrate to the president’s satisfaction that sufficient measures have been taken to curb fentanyl trafficking.
“If they have, then he’ll give them a pause. Or, he won’t,” Lutnick stated. Trump interjected, emphasizing the severity of the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. and alleging, “A lot of it comes through Canada.”
Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection reveals that approximately 49 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the Canada-U.S. border over the past year. In contrast, around 19,500 pounds were confiscated at the U.S.-Mexico border.
During the same press conference, Trump also misstated the size of the U.S. trade deficit with Canada—an issue he has frequently referred to as “a subsidy”—and once again suggested that “Canada should become the 51st state.”
The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet issued an update on the status of negotiations.
This marks the third time President Trump has announced the imposition of significant tariffs on Canadian imports, having previously declared them on January 20 and February 1, only to later postpone enforcement.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized earlier this week that President Trump holds sole authority over tariff decisions. However, she reaffirmed that Canada is fully prepared to retaliate with its own $155-billion tariff plan if the U.S. follows through on March 4.
Economists have warned of severe economic consequences should the tariffs be implemented. Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz has projected that such measures would amount to a permanent 5% “pay cut” for Canada’s economy as a whole.
The White House also reiterated that Trump’s plan for reciprocal tariffs—where the U.S. would match tariffs imposed by other countries on American imports—remains on track for April implementation.