U.S. President Donald J. Trump signs the executive order postponing tariffs on some Mexican goods. Photo: YouTube

By KELIN DILLON

In yet another twist in his administration’s economic policy, U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, March 6, detailing the partial suspension of his 25 percent tariffs on Mexican goods until April 2 – just two days after their official implementation.

According to the order, the postponement will cover goods under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), or approximately half of the goods Mexico exports to the United States.

The news comes just one day after Trump announced a pause on planned auto manufacturing tariffs that would have affected the production and supply chains of major U.S. automakers Stellantis, GM, and Ford.

Trump highlighted his call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (CSP), who the U.S. president called a “wonderful woman,” as a key factor behind delaying the tariffs on Mexico.

“I spoke to the President of Mexico, a wonderful woman, today. We helped them with the problem they had, related to short-term tariffs. We had a very good conversation,” Trump said from the White House.

“I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum,” Trump wrote on social networks later that day. “Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border.”

For her part, Sheinbaum said that data charts depicting the drops in fentanyl seizures since Mexico sent 10,000 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in early February was instrumental in Trump’s decision to delay the tariffs.

“In February alone, the reduction in fentanyl seizures on the United States side of the border with Mexico was reduced by 41.5 percent. He didn’t know about this graph until I sent it to him,” the Mexican federal executive said Thursday.

Sheinbaum also said she would cancel Mexico’s planned retaliatory measures and shift Sunday’s scheduled protest on the sanctions into a celebration of the successful tariff postponement.

“I am going to explain the achievement of this agreement between the presidents of Mexico and the United States and between our peoples, and we are going to invite musical groups to celebrate with the people of Mexico,” CSP added.