
Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
UPDATED: Breaking news out of Washington and Ottawa late in the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 3 saw looming 25 per cent across the board tariffs on American imports of Canadian goods put off for 30 days. Those tariffs would applied to everything coming out of Canada except for energy – oil, gas and electricity – which would have been tariffed at 10 per cent.
On Truth Social, the social media platform US President Donald Trump owns and uses as his primary means of communication to the broader world, he posted the following:
Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, while destroying their families and communities all across our Country.
Canada will implement their $1.3 Billion Border plan, and as per Prime Minister Trudeau, will be, “reinforcing the Border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are, and will be, working on protecting the Border. In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the Border, launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, and we will be backing it with $200 million.”
As President, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of ALL Americans, and I am doing just that. I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30 day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured. FAIRNESS FOR ALL!
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/113942189236610107
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X:
I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.
In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million.
Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together.
I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly…
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 3, 2025
It was very similar, if not the same, as the plan Trudeau had announced back in December.
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The announcement came just a few hours after a similar agreement was made between US president Donald Trump and Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2025
Earlier in the day, Trump was again talking about Canada becoming the 51st state.
Trump on what Trudeau could offer him to change his mind on tariffs: "What I'd like to see — Canada become our 51st state." pic.twitter.com/f6tsB3LxP5
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 3, 2025
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Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said in an emailed statement:
The delay of President Trump’s Tariffs is welcome news today . However, we know there is more work to do.
This is a temporary pause, and we need to continue leveraging our relationships as we work to find a more permanent solution.
I would encourage the federal government to move quickly on their border security commitments to demonstrate real action in this 30-day window.
I will be reiterating the message that Saskatchewan’s exports are crucial to North American food and energy security in Washington next week.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on X:
I am greatly heartened to see that U.S. President @realDonaldTrump and the Canadian Government have agreed to a plan to crack down on Fentanyl trafficking and other illegal activities at our shared border.
The appointment of a Canadian fentanyl czar with authority to coordinate a massive joint effort with the United Stated to target Fentanyl traffickers is something Alberta has been calling for since it became clear in our discussions with U.S. elected representatives and administration officials that this would be a critical part of reaching a deal to avoid tariffs.
Diplomacy has won the day. Let us ensure that continues as we know there is much more work ahead of us.
I once again call on our federal government officials and fellow Premiers to de-escalate rhetoric, abandon any non-tariff measures for the time being, and turn our efforts entirely to advocacy and good faith negotiation. There are so many win-win solutions on trade and security between our two nations. Let us turn this crisis into an opportunity to find them for the benefit of Canadians and Americans.
To this end, I am preparing to return to Washington D.C. next week with my fellow Premiers to continue our diplomatic efforts and will again return to D.C. later in the month to attend the Republican Governors conference.
I am greatly heartened to see that U.S. President @realDonaldTrump and the Canadian Government have agreed to a plan to crack down on Fentanyl trafficking and other illegal activities at our shared border.
The appointment of a Canadian fentanyl czar with authority to coordinate… pic.twitter.com/p4HIJBAGBh
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) February 3, 2025
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