Washington/Ottawa/Mexico City: US President Donald Trump has imposed steep tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, escalating trade tensions in the region. The move, which Trump had been threatening for months, was formalised through an executive order on Saturday.
In response, Canada's caretaker Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a 25% tariff on US imports. "Tariffs violate a free trade agreement that was negotiated a few years ago. These measures will have real consequences for the American people," Trudeau stated at a press conference. Canada will impose immediate tariffs on C$30 billion worth of US goods starting Tuesday, followed by further tariffs on C$125 billion worth of products in the next three weeks. Trudeau also indicated that Canada is considering non-tariff measures related to critical minerals, energy procurement, and other partnerships.
Trump's executive order places a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% tariff on all imports from China. The order includes a mechanism to escalate tariffs further if other countries retaliate.
Mexico has also responded with countermeasures. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that while Mexico prioritises collaboration, it will not tolerate subordination. "We must work together under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, and respect for sovereignty, which is non-negotiable," she stated on social media platform X.
Sheinbaum also rejected Trump's allegations that the Mexican government has ties with criminal organisations, calling the claims "slander" and asserting that Mexico would not accept any form of US intervention in its territory.
With the US' two largest trade partners pushing back, Trump's tariff policy is likely to fuel economic tensions in the region.
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Srinagar (PTI): Property worth Rs 1 crore belonging to a notorious drug peddler was on Saturday attached in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, police said.
A double-storey house on eight marlas of land situated at Wantpora Eidgah, belonging to Basit Bilal Dar, a notorious drug peddler, valued at approximately Rs 1 crore, a police spokesperson said.
He said Dar is involved in two cases registered under various sections of the NDPS Act.
During investigation, it was established that the accused had acquired the said property through illicit proceeds generated from drug trafficking activities, the spokesperson said.
Consequently, the property was attached under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The attachment proceedings were conducted in the presence of the two independent witnesses, strictly in accordance with the prescribed legal procedures, he said.
As per the attachment order, the owner has been restrained from selling, leasing, transferring, altering, or creating any third-party interest in the property till further orders, the spokesperson added.
