Trump exempts some automakers from Canada, Mexico tariffs for one month | U.S. & World [Video]

By David Lawder, David Shepardson and David Ljunggren

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA (Reuters) -President Donald Trump will exempt automakers from his punishing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico for one month as long as they comply with an existing free trade agreement, the White House said on Wednesday.

Trump is also open to hearing about other products that should be exempted from the tariffs, which took effect Tuesday, the White House said.

He also made clear he was not calling off his trade war with Canada and Mexico as he pressures the two countries to deter fentanyl smuggling. After a phone call with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump said he was not convinced the situation had improved.

“He said that it’s gotten better, but I said, ‘That’s not good enough,'” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “The call ended in a ‘somewhat’ friendly manner!” Trudeau’s office said discussions would continue. Official statistics show a small fraction of fentanyl in …