Canada and Mexico are expected to intensify efforts this week to avoid punishing 25% tariffs on their exports to the U.S. in talks to persuade President Donald Trump's administration that their steps to increase border security and curb fentanyl trafficking are working ahead of a March 4 deadline.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday at his first Cabinet meeting that the drop in illegal border crossings into the United States since he took office is "not stopping" him from levying 25 per cent tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian goods the US imports,

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday raised hopes for another month-long pause on steep new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, saying they could take effect on April 2, and floated a 25% “reciprocal” tariff on European cars and other goods.