Donald Trump is set to issue a broad trade memo on Monday, which will not impose new tariffs on his first day in office but will instruct federal agencies to evaluate US trade relationships with China, Canada, and Mexico, according to the Wall Street Journal.
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Although Trump has previously promised tariffs of 10% on global imports, 60% on Chinese goods, and a 25% import surcharge on Canadian and Mexican products—moves that could disrupt trade flows, raise costs, and provoke retaliation—the memo stops short of implementing these duties.
Instead, it will direct agencies to investigate trade imbalances, address unfair trade practices, and examine currency policies from other nations. The memo specifically targets China, Canada, and Mexico, directing agencies to review China’s adherence to its 2020 trade deal with the US and the status of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
However, no new tariffs will be introduced in the memo, the Journal reports. There was no immediate comment from Trump’s aides regarding the report.