U.S. Enacts 25% Tariffs on Imported Goods From Canada and Mexico
Port of Seattle Hosts 2025 Cruise Summer Job Fair
Creative Justice Accepts Goods for Spring Mutual-Aid Drive
After two months of delaying the rollout of new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, the White House announced on Tuesday, March 4, that it will be implementing 25% tariffs on imported goods from the two countries.
A statement released by the White House early Tuesday justified their actions, writing, "While President [Donald] Trump gave both Canada and Mexico ample opportunity to curb the dangerous cartel activity and influx of lethal drugs flowing into our country, they have failed to adequately address the situation."
Later in the day, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Trump may announce a deal on Wednesday to reduce the Mexican and Canadian tariffs. He claimed that both Canadian and Mexican officials have said that they will do better to reduce the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.
The tariffs on Mexico and Canada come in addition to a new 10% tariff on China, bringing the total tariff rate on Chinese goods to 20%. Many economists have suggested that the tariffs will likely increase inflation for U.S. consumers, due to the fact that the U.S. imports $1.4 trillion worth of goods from the three countries every year. The U.S. also exports significantly less to each of the countries, putting the U.S. consistently at a trade deficit.
China and Canada responded immediately with tariffs of their own. Mexico has signaled that they will return with their own retaliatory tariffs on Sunday. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she planned to speak to Trump this week because there was nothing that justified the actions.
Mexico is the U.S.'s largest trading partner. In 2024, the U.S. imported $505.8 billion in goods from Mexico and exported $334 billion. The largest Mexican exports that will be affected by the tariffs include vehicles at 27% of total exports to the U.S., machinery and mechanical appliances at 18.9%, and electrical machinery and electronics at 17%.
Canada is the U.S.'s second-largest trading partner, with the U.S. importing $412.7 billion in 2024 and exporting $349.4 billion. Canada's largest exports that will be affected by the tariffs include oil at 32% of total exports to the U.S., vehicles at 13.8%, and machinery and mechanical appliances at 7.87%.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the White House's actions "illegal" and said that they will file dispute resolution claims at the World Trade Organization and through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Canada enacted their own 25% tariffs on U.S.-imported goods that will last until the U.S. tariffs are withdrawn, though Canada's tariffs are expected to raise inflation within Canada itself.
In recent days, Trump has repeatedly called Trudeau a "governor," hinting that Canada is not a separate country but in fact the 51st U.S. state.
"What he wants to see is a total collapse of the Canadian economy because that will make it easier to annex us. That is never going to happen. We will never be the 51st state," Trudeau said, in response to the tariffs, which he called a "dumb thing to do."
China enacted what they called a "restrained, targeted approach aimed at causing pain to those industries that matter the most to the supporters of the Trump administration," according to Alfredo Montufar-Helu, head of the China Center for the Conference Board. China imposed 15% tariffs on items such as chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, as well as 10% on items such as soybeans, pork, beef, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
The Port of Seattle will be hosting its 2025 Cruise Summer Job Fair, which will provide opportunities for individuals of all ages to apply for part-time and full-time summer employment. Employers will be present to introduce and explain positions that will be available at the Pier 66 and Pier 91 cruise terminals, as well as for the airport cruise team.
Positions will be available from mid-April to October. Schedules are flexible, and the Port of Seattle is willing to work with any youth over the age of 16 or individuals who are attending school to find a suitable schedule. Pay for each role ranges from $21 to $26 an hour, with ORCA cards available to help assist travel for some positions.
Some interviews will be conducted on-site at the Cruise Summer Job Fair.
The 2025 Cruise Summer Job Fair takes place at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 3rd Floor (2225 Alaskan Way), from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. More information about the roles can be found on the Port of Seattle's website.
Creative Justice has launched a Spring Mutual-Aid Drive and is now taking donations for their "most needed items."
The organization will be accepting new apparel items of all kinds, non-perishable food pantry items such as canned goods and dry goods, and toiletries such as lotion, toothpaste, menstrual products, condoms, pregnancy tests, dish soap, and laundry detergent.
Creative Justice is dedicated to creating arts-based healing spaces for incarcerated youth and young adults.
Items can be dropped off at the Creative Cafe in Washington Hall (153 14th Ave.) every Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Drop-offs taking place after 2:00 p.m. can be arranged by contacting Veronica at (253)293-5267 or veronica@creativejusticenw.org.
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