Treasury chief urges Canada, Mexico to match US tariffs on China as deadline looms | U.S. & World [Video]

By David Lawder and Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent encouraged Canada on Friday to follow Mexico in matching U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods as the two U.S. neighbors sought to avoid punishing 25% U.S. tariffs due on Tuesday over fentanyl trafficking.

Canadian and Mexican officials have fanned out across Washington seeking to show President Donald Trump’s administration that they were making progress in securing their U.S. borders to curb the flow of the dangerous opioid.

Bessent, speaking in a Bloomberg Television interview, said Mexico had proposed matching the U.S. tariffs aimed at China, but he did not specify which level. Trump on February 4 imposed a 10% duty on all Chinese imports, then said on Thursday he would double that to 20% from Tuesday.

“I think it would be a nice gesture if the Canadians did it also – so in a way, we could have fortress North America from the flood …