By Gokhan Ergocun
ISTANBUL (AA) - The US will impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Tuesday, but the situation is "fluid," and the president will decide whether to stick with the planned 25% level, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday evening.
Lutnick said in an interview with Fox TV, "Exactly what they are, we are going to leave that for the president and his team to negotiate," implying that Washington may not impose the full 25% tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump on all goods from Mexico and non-energy imports from Canada.
Earlier, President Trump planned to impose 25% tariffs on all imported goods from Mexico and Canada beginning in February, except for energy products, which would be subject to a 10% tariff.
Then, tariffs for Canada and Mexico were delayed for a month.
Lutnick said, "He is sort of thinking about right now how exactly he wants to play it with Mexico and Canada, and that is a fluid situation."
He said the two countries have "done a reasonable job" of securing their borders with the US, but he is concerned that the deadly drug fentanyl is still flowing into the country.
Recalling that there were the lowest tariffs with Canada and Mexico, but "China sent to Mexico and Canada, and then they came and attacked our country."