Washington is toughening its trade stance: the United States will maintain tariffs on Canada and Mexico

The United States has confirmed its intention to maintain tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, as the Trump administration enters into new negotiations aimed at revising the North American trade agreement. The announcement was made Tuesday by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

According to him, the trade partnership between the three North American countries will not continue to function as a completely tariff-free zone. Washington believes it is necessary to maintain these measures in order to reduce the American trade deficit, a central objective of its current economic policy.

Jamieson Greer also stated that the United States has "significant trade problems" with Canada. He made these remarks at an event in Washington, ahead of bilateral talks with Mexico, in which Canada is not directly participating at this initial stage.

The US official emphasized that tariffs will remain a long-standing tool of American trade policy, including with close partners like Mexico. He specifically indicated that the United States will continue to apply tariffs as long as trade imbalances remain significant.

These statements come as formal negotiations are set to begin this week in Mexico City between the United States and Mexico. They will focus in particular on regional rules of origin and issues related to economic security.

Finally, Jamieson Greer expressed his desire to see Mexico increase its own tariffs on imports from outside North America in order to rebalance trade. This position confirms a hardening of the American stance on the future of the USMCA agreement, signed six years ago between the three countries.