Donald Trump announced that he would impose new tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada on the first day of his presidency, in an effort to combat drug and human trafficking into the United States.
The president-elect said that immediately after his inauguration on January 20, he would sign an executive order imposing 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Mexico and Canada.
He also said an additional 10 percent tariff would be imposed on China until that country's government blocks smuggling of the synthetic opioid fentanyl from the country.
The Biden administration has called on Beijing to do more to stop production of ingredients used in fentanyl, which Washington says killed nearly 75,000 Americans last year.
Tariffs on Mexico and Canada will remain in effect until both countries crack down on drugs, particularly fentanyl, and migrants crossing the border illegally, Trump said in a message on his platform TruthSocial.
“Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily resolve this long-simmering problem,” he said.
“It’s time for them to pay a very heavy price!”
In another post, Trump attacked Beijing for failing to keep promises he said Chinese authorities had made to apply the death penalty to people caught selling fentanyl.
During his election campaign, Trump announced he would impose tariffs of more than 60 percent on all goods made in China, far higher than those he implemented during his first term.
Trump also said he would end China's most favored nation trade status with the United States, the most favorable terms offered by Washington on tariffs and other restrictions.
This comes as China's economy finds itself in a significantly more vulnerable position than it was under the previous Trump presidency.
The country faces a number of serious problems, including a persistent crisis in the real estate market, weak domestic demand and growing local government debt.
China has yet to make an official public announcement on Trump's latest tariff promise.
BBC News has contacted the foreign ministries of Mexico and Canada for comment.
