Lutnick says Trump could reduce Mexico, Canada tariffs Wednesday

President Donald Trump could reduce the 25 percent tariffs that he imposed Tuesday on Canada and Mexico, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in an interview on Fox Business Network, less than 18 hours after the duties went into effect.

“Both the Canadians and Mexicans were on the phone with me all day today trying to show that they’ll do better” on reducing fentanyl flows into the United States, Lutnick said. “So I think [Trump] is going to work something out with them.”

“It’s not going to be a pause — none of that pause stuff,” he continued. “But I think he’s going to figure out, ‘you do more, and I’ll meet you in the middle some way.’ And we’re probably going to be announcing that tomorrow.”

“So somewhere in the middle will likely be the outcome. The president moving with the Canadians and the Mexicans,” Lutnick said, adding that he did not expect immediate tariff relief for China since it continues to subsidize fentanyl production that is killing Americans.