Photo: Unsplash

By KELIN DILLON

One day after officially enacting his 25 percent tariffs on Mexican goods, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced on Wednesday, March 5, that he would postpone economic sanctions on car products made in Mexico and Canada by U.S. automakers Ford, Stellantis and GM until April 2.

According to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, the U.S. big three automakers will be exempt from the tariffs when importing vehicles into the United States, so long as their goods meet all the trade requirements outlined by the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“We spoke with the three big auto dealers and will grant a one-month exemption to any car that goes through the USMCA. The reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2nd,” said Leavitt on Wednesday morning.

“But at the request of the companies associated with the USMCA, the President is giving them a one-month exemption, so that they are not at an economic disadvantage,” she added. “They made the request and the president is happy to do it. It’s a one-month waiver.”

Still, even with a part of the auto industry removed from the equation, Trump’s tariffs are anticipated to put a massive financial pressure on the U.S. population. An analysis by economic research group Trade Partnership Worldwide (TPW) revealed that the trade sanctions on Mexico – not including the tariffs placed on China and Canada – are estimated to cost U.S. consumers $10 billion per month.

For her part, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (CSP) took to her daily morning press conference on Wednesday to say that Mexico would not bend to the U.S. tariffs and would instead look for other trade partners elsewhere in the world. 

“What I can tell you is that it is a very definitive moment for Mexico, depending on what happens these days until Sunday,” said Sheinbaum. “There will be no submission; Mexico is a great country, and Mexicans are brave and resilient and the people of Mexico have a lot of strength.

“If necessary, other trading partners will be sought, all to protect Mexico and Mexicans within the framework of our sovereignty and dignity,” continued the Mexican federal executive. 

Sheinbaum also encouraged the Mexican population to join in on a public protest against the tariffs scheduled for Sunday, March 9, in Mexico City.