US President Donald Trump postponed the entry into force of 25% tariffs on exports from Mexico and Canada for a month after speaking with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Ms Sheinbaum said she would send 10,000 National Guard troops to try to stem the flow of fentanyl into the US.
"Mexico will reinforce the northern border ... to stop drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, especially fentanyl," President Sheinbaum posted on the X platform after speaking with Mr. Trump. "The United States is committed to working to stop the trafficking of high-precision weapons into Mexico."
The Mexican leader added that the two countries will continue talks on security and trade and that "tariffs have been put on hold for one month starting today."
Mr. Trudeau said Canada will deploy new technology and personnel along its border with the United States to stop the flow of fentanyl.
"I just had a positive call with President Trump," Prime Minister Trudeau said on X. "The proposed tariffs will be suspended for at least 30 days while we work together."
There was no immediate confirmation from the White House, but Mr. Trump told reporters that a phone call with Mr. Trudeau went "very well."
President Trump then said on his "Social Truth" platform that "these soldiers will be deployed specifically to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants into our country."
The US leader said that in the coming month the two countries will try to negotiate a “deal.” He said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will meet with high-level Mexican officials.
The resolution of the US-Mexico tariff dispute for at least a month came after Mr Trump also spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the 25% tariff he planned to impose on Canadian exports to the US at midnight on Monday.
Both Ms. Sheinbaum and Mr. Trudeau, who represent two of the US's three largest trading partners along with China, had protested Mr. Trump's plans to impose tariffs and vowed to retaliate.
President Trump hit China with a 10% tariff hike and Beijing said it would file a protest with the World Trade Organization.
Mr. Trump acknowledged on Sunday that new tariffs on the US's three largest trading partners could hurt Americans who are suffering from inflationary prices for groceries, fuel, vehicles and other consumer goods, but said the tariff hike was worth it to advance US interests.
President Trump justified the new tariffs by claiming that the three countries were not doing enough to stop undocumented immigrants and the flow of fentanyl into the US.
Polls in the US show that consumer frustration with rising prices over the past four years was a major factor in Mr Trump's victory in November's election over Democrat Kamala Harris. President Trump has acknowledged that it will not be easy to bring high food prices under control.
Mr. Trump imposed a new tariff on energy imports from Canada of 10%, apparently in an attempt to limit a rise in fuel and electricity prices.
Mr. Trudeau said Saturday that his country would retaliate with 25% tariffs on $106.6 billion worth of American goods, with a first round on Tuesday followed by a second in three weeks.
The leaders of several Canadian provinces have already announced retaliatory actions, such as immediately banning purchases of alcoholic beverages in the US, and more specifically orange juice produced in Florida, whiskey in Tennessee and peanut butter in Kentucky, three states where Mr. Trump won in last November's election.
Ahead of her call with Mr Trump on Monday, Mexican President Sheinbaum said she had instructed her economy minister to "implement Plan B", which includes "tariffs and other measures in defense of Mexico's interests".
US exports to Mexico amounted to over $322 billion in 2023, while the US imported more than $475 billion worth of Mexican products.
China denounced the new tariffs on its exports. Beijing said it would challenge them at the World Trade Organization and retaliate, but without giving details.
In 2023, the US had a trade deficit of $279 billion with China, the highest figure among its trading partners.
China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that Trump's move "seriously violates" international trade rules, urging the US to "engage in sincere dialogue and strengthen cooperation." VOA (A2 Televizion)
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