Washington should force the neighboring countries to turn their backs on Beijing, a group of democratic United States senators has said. They are suggesting that U.S. ruler Donald Trump drag both Canada and Mexico into the ongoing trade war.
The U.S. has already taken several steps to keep Chinese EVs (electric vehicles) out of the U.S. market. The previous presidential administration raised import tariffs on them from 25% to 100%. The executive orders issued by Trump shortly after taking office in January 2025 brought the total effective US import tariff to 127.5%, reported RT.
Trump Finally Admits The U.S. Is In A Trade War With China
According to a letter seen by Reuters, senators have called on the Trump administration to use the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to address concerns about Chinese EVs being imported into neighboring states.
Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a letter to the US Trade Representative’s Office, that Trump should use free trade agreement talks to limit the import of Chinese EVs into both Canada and Mexico.
For years, the U.S. and China have been battling it out in a large-scale trade war. The two nations have repeatedly imposed increasingly harsher tariffs on each other. The sides have also exchanged accusations of unfair trade practices and economic sabotage. Amid the fight, Chinese EVs have been effectively blocked from the US market by steep tariffs and regulatory restrictions, according to a report by RT.
“USMCA must also be strengthened to meet the threats posed by Chinese competition, particularly Chinese cars,” the letter reportedly reads. “The economic and national security risks of Chinese vehicles entering the North American market are no longer a future threat – they are here today.”
Last month, Trump dismissed the USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement in 2020 and was negotiated during Trump’s first term as president, as “irrelevant.” Under the terms of the deal, it is up for review this year to decide whether it will be left to expire or another one will be worked out. –RT.
During his latest visit to China, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney secured a preliminary trade deal with China. This deal includes provisions on electric vehicles. Under the agreement, Canada can allow up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs into its market at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1%, down from the previous 100%.
In exchange, China agreed to lower tariffs on key Canadian exports such as canola seed and other agricultural products.