The Daily North America Averted a Trade War — for Now
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Feb 4, 2025 
Ana Swanson, trade reporter, Matina Stevis-Gridneff, Canada bureau chief, and Simon Romero, international correspondent, dive into the brinkmanship that nearly sparked a trade war between North America. They discuss last-minute negotiations and the economic fallout looming over Canada and Mexico. The trio unpacks how tariffs could wield political power and examine Prime Minister Trudeau's potential retaliatory measures. They also explore the broader implications of U.S.-Mexico relations and the emotional stakes of shifting alliances in trade dynamics.
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Canada's Border Statistics
- Canada's fentanyl contribution to the U.S. is minimal, around 1%.
- Irregular border crossings from Canada are a small fraction of total U.S. crossings.
Canada's Retaliation Plan
- Trudeau announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods like bourbon and tomatoes if the U.S. imposed tariffs.
- These were strategically chosen to impact red and purple states.
Mexico's Response
- Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador responded to Trump's tariff threat with a measured reaction.
- He highlighted domestic U.S. demand for drugs and the issue of U.S. guns flowing into Mexico.