President Donald Trump’s bold warning that he may impose a sweeping 25% tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports is sending shockwaves through North America — but trade experts say the threat may be less about punishment and more about strategy. According to AFP, analysts believe Trump is using aggressive rhetoric to secure leverage ahead of the next major review of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2026.
Trump told reporters that he is prepared to apply the tariffs as early as February 1, insisting he has already promised to sign the necessary documents on the first day of his new term. The move, if enacted, would strike at the heart of North America’s tightly integrated supply chains.
For Canada, Trump’s longstanding grievance has been the bilateral trade deficit. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he declared bluntly: “We’re not going to have that anymore.”
Trade specialists say such comments are classic Trump-style negotiating — publicly escalating tensions to force concessions behind closed doors.
Kathleen Claussen, law professor at Georgetown University, said the tactic is designed to push all sides back to the negotiation table: “What’s happening here is creating massive pressure to restart discussions.”
Experts argue that even if Trump never triggers the tariffs, the threat alone could shift bargaining power. With the 2026 review clause giving any of the three countries the ability to challenge key parts of the agreement, Washington may see early intimidation as a way to secure better terms.
As businesses across the continent brace for potential disruption, the region faces a familiar question: Are these tariffs real policy — or Trump’s opening move in another high-stakes economic showdown?