President Donald Trump’s first day in office set the stage for his promised tough trade moves, but the dramatic tariff actions that were anticipated didn’t materialize. Despite pre-inauguration declarations of sweeping tariff impositions on China, Canada, and Mexico, Trump’s opening day laid out a far more cautious approach, leaving key promises unresolved.
While Trump did sign an executive order outlining an “America First Trade Policy,” it mainly tasked various federal agencies with exploring the potential for future tariff hikes—rather than imposing immediate actions. The tariffs, though talked about in bold terms during his campaign, seemed to be put on hold.
Tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico Still on the Table
Trump’s promises to slap tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico remained a hot topic, though there was little immediate follow-through. He did discuss the imposition of a new 25% tariff on all goods from Canada and Mexico, but he left key details unclear, setting the stage for possible February implementation. His earlier proposal for a universal tariff on all imported goods also remained on the table.