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US President Donald Trump is set to impose tariffs of 25 percent on Mexico and Canada, and 10 percent on China starting Saturday, says the White House, according to CNN. Experts view this as an escalation of US protectionism, warning that new tariffs will push up inflation in the US.
 
China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong previously responded on January 23 to the potential US tariffs on China, saying that Tariffs harm both China and the US, as well as the global economy.
 
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed during Friday’s press briefing that the tariffs would amount to a 25 percent duty on Mexico and Canada and a 10 percent on China “for illegal fentanyl they have sourced and allowed to distribute into our country, which has killed tens of millions of Americans,” CNN reported.
 
The tariffs could drive up costs for US consumers and businesses for goods coming from Canada, Mexico and China – including electronics, toys, shoes, fresh produce, lumber and cars, NBC reported. 
 
"There may be temporary, short-term disruption, and people will understand that," Fox news said citing Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. The tariffs will ensure that other countries treat the US "fairly," the report said. 
 
Experts noted that Trump had long signalled plans to pressure Canada, Mexico, and China over fentanyl, and his latest move aims to transform that rhetoric into action.
 
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said many times that China is one of the world’s toughest countries on counternarcotics both in terms of policy and its implementation. China announced back in 2019 the decision to officially schedule fentanyl-related substances as a class and became the first country in the world to do so. 
 
China has supported the US’ response to the fentanyl issue in the spirit of humanity and goodwill and conducted counternarcotics cooperation with the US side in a broad-based and in-depth way, according to the Foreign Ministry.
 
“This is an escalation of US protectionism with no clear economic justification, driving up costs for consumers and businesses while disrupting global supply chains,” Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Saturday.
 
Zhou noted the US has not specified product categories for the new tariffs, as they may apply broadly rather than targeting specific goods. If the tariffs are put in place, “this wide-ranging move will reshape trade and supply chains across all four countries, impacting businesses at large,” Zhou said.
 
"If the tariff order takes effect, it will negatively impact all three countries – China, Mexico, and Canada – key US trading partners. Chinese investments in Mexico and Canada will also be affected," Lü Xiang, an expert on US studies and research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Saturday.
 
“It's a lose-lose scenario for all four sides. The US will also bear the cost, as higher tariffs fuel inflation, raise living expenses, and make it harder for the government to maintain control the situation,” Lü said.
 
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada is ready to deliver a "purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate" response if US President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian imports, during an event in Toronto on Friday. Trudeau added that it's "not what we want, but if he moves forward, we will also act," according to CBC News.

Mexico's Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that Trump’s plan to place 25 percent tariffs on its goods would be a mistake that raises costs for US consumers, according to Bloomberg's report on Friday. He reiterated that Mexico is prepared for whatever the Trump administration may announce.