Category World News

As United States President Donald Trump’s sweeping 25-percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada were about to kick in on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hit back.

Even before the tariffs actually came into effect, Trudeau put out a statement, calling the tariffs “unjustified”, and imposing immediate retaliatory tariffs. Then, a few hours later, on Tuesday morning, he addressed a news conference, where he referred to Trump as “Donald”, called the tariffs a “very dumb thing to do”, and accused the US president of trying to cripple the Canadian economy to annex the country.

In contrast, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first comments only came in a news conference on Tuesday. She promised to defend Mexican interests and announced tariffs on US imports. But unlike Canada, Mexico’s tit-for-tat tariffs will only come into effect on Sunday, giving it time to strike a deal with the US.

On Thursday, Sheinbaum is expected to speak with Trump to try to stitch together a compromise even as the US president’s public spat with Trudeau intensifies.

So why is Mexico’s president approaching Trump’s tariffs so differently from how Canada and Trudeau are handling them? How is Mexico responding to Sheinbaum’s strategy? How did we get here? And what’s at stake?

What are Trump’s tariffs, and what’s his justification?

Even before he was sworn into office for a second time in January, Trump announced he would impose 25-percent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico, citing concerns over border security and drug trafficking, particularly the flow of fentanyl into the US.

The US is the second-largest goods trader in the world after China, and Trump’s tariffs have rattled global markets.

These tariffs were initially scheduled to take effect on February 4, but negotiations between Trump and the leaders of Canada and Mexico resulted in the US postponing their imposition for a month.

In those negotiations, Trudeau and Sheinbaum agreed to boost border security to prevent drug trafficking and the entry of migrants into the US.

Trudeau appointed a “fentanyl czar” to tackle that issue. Sheinbaum deployed 10,000 additional soldiers to the US-Mexico border to help curb irregular immigration. Within Mexico, her law enforcement agencies busted fentanyl gangs, raided labs and made arrests. Last week, Mexico sent 29 drug cartel leaders to the US for prosecution.

Still, on Tuesday, Trump enacted the 25-percent tariffs, affecting a wide array of goods. Additional tariffs were also imposed on China.

The US’s top three trading partners – Mexico, Canada and China – account for more than 35 percent of the goods that the world’s largest economy imports or exports.

How did Canada respond?

Canada responded promptly and assertively to the US tariffs with retaliatory protectionist measures of its own that it had first announced on February 1.

Starting on Tuesday, Canada imposed 25-percent tariffs on $21bn worth of US goods with the threat of tariffs on another estimated $87bn later if the dispute lasts.

Trudeau warned that Canada “will not back down from a fight” and tariffs would remain in place until the US tariffs are withdrawn.

Products including, meats, grains, certain alcohol, clothes, footwear, motorcycles and cosmetics are just some of the US goods that will be subject to immediate tariffs, according to Canada’s Department of Finance.

Some Canadian provinces have taken steps of their own, ordering the removal of all US liquor from stores, for instance.

Trudeau, in comments on Tuesday, also seemed to back Canadians who are choosing to boycott American goods and boo the US national anthem at sporting events.

Trudeau had a call with Trump on Wednesday, but while the US president said it ended on a “somewhat ‘friendly’” note, he subsequently accused Canada of allowing fentanyl to enter the US — even though experts said only a minuscule amount of the opioid comes into the US across its northern border.

How has Mexico responded?

While Trump and Trudeau have exchanged heated personal remarks in recent weeks, Sheinbaum has taken a more measured approach.

In her comments on Tuesday, Sheinbaum expressed the intention to implement “tariff and non-tariff measures” to safeguard Mexico’s interests but refrained from immediate action, suggesting she intends to exhaust all diplomatic channels first.

“What I can tell you is that this is a very definitive moment for Mexico … There is not going to be submission. Mexico is a great country, and Mexicans are brave and resistant,” she said.

If the tariffs continue, Mexico “will reach out to Canada and other nations”, Sheinbaum said. She added that Mexico may look for other trading partners besides the US and could shift trade alliances “if necessary”.

What’s behind Sheinbaum’s relatively measured approach?

At a briefing with reporters in early February, Sheinbaum offered insights into her mindset, saying that amid threats from Trump, Mexico needed to keep a “cool head”.

This cautious strategy reflects Mexico’s heavy reliance on the US as a market: More than 75 percent of Mexico’s exports go to its northern neighbour, so any dramatic disruption in that equation could bleed the country’s economy. Last year, the US imported $505.8bn in goods from Mexico and exported $334bn, resulting in a trade deficit of $171.8bn.

To be sure, Canada also needs the US for its exports: More than 70 percent of Canadian exports go to the US.

But the context of Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada is quite different, Vina Nadjibulla, vice president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, told Al Jazeera.

While Trump in the past has mooted the idea of bombing Mexico’s drug cartels, many of which his administration has designated as “terrorist” organisations, he has been much more direct in seeking Canada’s territory.

Trump has frequently said his northern neighbour should become the 51st US state and has repeatedly referred to Trudeau, including after their call on Wednesday, as governor rather than prime minister.

“In Canada’s case, Trudeau noted that Trump’s actions are aimed at crippling the Canadian economy to pave the way for an eventual annexation, which goes beyond a mere trade war,” Nadjibulla said, referring to Trump’s repeated threats to absorb Canada.

“It’s an existential fight for Canada’s sovereignty, so there’s a strong incentive to push back immediately and forcefully,” she said.

Commenting on the new tariffs, Trudeau on Tuesday said Trump was planning to cause the “total collapse of the Canadian economy because that will make it easier to annex us”.

“Retaliation here isn’t just about tit-for-tat tariffs. It’s about defending the country’s independence,” Nadjibulla said.

Meanwhile, Trump has said he respects Sheinbaum, something that the Mexican president has referred to while saying she too respects the US president.

Sheinbaum also has something that Trudeau does not: time.

Canada is fast approaching national elections, and Trudeau’s Liberal Party is playing catch-up. After trailing the opposition Conservative Party by double digits for more than a year, the country’s governing party has started to rapidly close the gap as Trudeau pushes back against Trump’s moves and the US president’s steps stoke a wave of patriotism among Canadians.

Sheinbaum, on the other hand, took office only in October and is wildly popular. In two polls in February, her approval rating was 80 percent and 85 percent.

Is Sheinbaum’s approach working?

It’s too early to say.

But on Wednesday, the Trump administration exempted auto manufacturers from the 25-percent tariffs for a month. While the sector’s supply chains are spread across North America, Mexico is the biggest beneficiary of the reprieve. Cars, trucks, other vehicles and auto parts constitute 27 percent of its exports to the US. For Canada, that figure stands at 13 percent.

And Sheinbaum enjoys more than just popular support in Mexico. Her approach to Trump and his tariffs appears to have the trust of Mexican investors too.

The IPC, the main index of the country’s stock exchange, is up 6 percent from the start of the year. By contrast, the S&P/TSX, the benchmark Canadian stock exchange index, is almost where it was at the start of the year.

What’s next?

If the tariffs and the retaliatory steps taken by the US neighbours stay in place, businesses exporting goods and services as well as consumers will pay higher prices. A potential recession in some or all three North American countries is a possibility.

As tensions simmer, there are signs that the US administration may consider modifying its position. Reports out of the US suggest Trump is open to lowering the 25-percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.

But if Trump decides to de-escalate, Nadjibulla said, “the damage to trust is already substantial.”

“We’ve seen him threaten new tariffs in April and continue to shift targets. That level of unpredictability erodes confidence among allies and trading partners,” she said.

The tariffs could also affect negotiations on renewing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a free trade pact that came into effect in 2020, was negotiated by Trump’s team during his first term and replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994. A review of the USMCA is due in 2026, but the tariffs could see talks take place sooner.

“How do you negotiate a stable agreement when one party is consistently changing the rules or imposing new tariffs without warning?” Nadjibulla asked.

“Even if some tariffs get lifted or eased, the bigger issue is that Canada and others now view the US as a less reliable trade partner,” she added.

The White House has confirmed that the Trump administration engaged in direct talks with Hamas, saying the discussions align with US interests.

Following this, President Donald Trump threatened Palestinians in Gaza with deadly consequences if all captives were not released.

Here is what we know:

What do we know about the US-Hamas direct talks?

The discussions, facilitated by Qatari intermediaries, have reportedly been ongoing for weeks but became more evident in early March 2025.

This is the first time in decades that the United States negotiated directly with Hamas, a significant departure from US policy, which ruled out direct engagement with the group that it designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 1997.

Instead, it relied on intermediaries – most recently Qatar and Egypt – to communicate with Hamas.

They focused on securing the release of 21-year-old Edan Alexander, the only Israeli-American captive still believed to be alive, along with the bodies of four other Israeli Americans who were taken to Gaza on October 7.

Axios, which first reported the talks, also said the discussions included a possible broader agreement to release all remaining captives and establish a long-term truce.

The Wall Street Journal reported that talks took place last month in Doha and led to the release of Sagui Dekel Chen, an Israeli-American dual citizen, on February 15.

Who’s Adam Boehler?

Adam Boehler, the US presidential envoy for hostage affairs, led the direct talks with Hamas.

He was also a key negotiator on the Abraham Accords during Trump’s first term, working to expand Israel’s normalisation with the Arab world.​

What did Trump say?

Following the report, Trump issued a strong warning to Hamas in a social media post on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of all captives.

He addressed the people of Gaza directly. “Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision,” Trump wrote.

He said he would send Israel “everything it needs to finish the job”, and warned, “Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”

Trump has advocated for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza’s population and the US “take over” of the Palestinian territory, adding later that his “plan” would not allow Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza.

How has Hamas reacted?

There has been no official response by Hamas to the reports of talks.

A Hamas official told The Associated Press news agency that the talks focused on releasing Israeli captives and were “promising”.

Responding to Trump’s threats, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said they “complicate matters regarding the ceasefire agreement and encourage [Israel] to refrain from implementing its terms”, according to Anadolu news agency.

“Hamas implemented all its obligations under phase one, but Israel is avoiding entering phase two,” Qassem added. “The US administration is required to pressure the occupation to enter negotiations for the second phase.”

How many captives are currently held by Hamas?

Israel says 59 captives are still being held in Gaza, 24 of them believed to be alive. It says the bodies of at least 35 others remain in Hamas’s custody.

Hamas captured approximately 250 captives during their attack on southern Israel, according to the Israeli government. More than 100 were released during a weeklong truce in late 2023.

In February, during the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 25 living captives and the bodies of eight more in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was negotiated with mediation from Qatar, Egypt, and the US. Captive-prisoner exchanges, humanitarian aid delivery, and a pause in military operations marked the first phase.

Discussions on advancing to the second phase of the agreement – which involves the release of the remaining 59 captives, a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a permanent end to the war – have been held up by Israel.

How has Israel reacted to the talks?

The Trump administration reportedly consulted Israel about potential direct engagement with Hamas. However, according to Axios, the Israelis learned about aspects of the talks through other channels.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “Israel was consulted on this matter.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office released a statement saying it “expressed its opinion” to the US.

Israel’s consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, told Fox News: “There is a new attitude from the White House … against Hamas. They can talk with Hamas, that’s OK.”

What’s next?

Despite the direct talks, Gaza’s ceasefire is in limbo.

Hamas responded to Trump’s threats by saying the US is supporting Netanyahu’s attempts to back out of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and further starve and besiege Palestinians in Gaza.

Egypt has also suggested Israel is not looking to fulfil its end of the agreement.

“So far, only the first phase has been implemented, but now a party is attempting to back out of its obligations,” Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the Qatari state news agency QNA on Wednesday.

A derailed ceasefire could be disastrous for Palestinians in Gaza who have suffered close to 17 months of Israeli attacks and siege tactics.

On Sunday, Israel said it would block all aid into Gaza to pressure Hamas to accept an extension of phase one of the ceasefire, immediately causing food prices in Gaza to shoot up. Even during the ceasefire, locals reported Israeli artillery fire and air attacks on Gaza.

The first phase of the ceasefire expired on March 1. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff proposed extending phase one by six weeks. Netanyahu agreed to the proposition, but Hamas opposed it, calling for the deal to proceed to the second phase as previously agreed.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict appears to have reached its pinnacle over the past few days, not in the battlefield but in the halls of power. At the White House on February 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was confronted verbally by Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump. It appeared to be staged and scripted.

Trump seemed to be trying to break up with Ukraine using a pretext. On March 4, the decision to freeze military aid actually took effect, and on March 5 the intelligence sharing was suspended, which will have an immediate impact on Ukrainian military operations.

While European leaders rushed to a summit and declared their unwavering support for Zelenskyy, he appeared to stand his ground. They vowed to keep providing Ukraine with military and financial aid.

It might be tempting to attribute Trump’s tendencies to the recent events. However, what we are seeing is a political production intended to appeal to the Western public, who has been fed the idea that Russia is weak and capable of being defeated or weakened to the point of irrelevance.

The West, which was once ruled by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has actually exhausted the available resources and willingness to engage in what he claimed was a “proxy war” against Russia. Damage control and a blame game are hidden behind the rhetoric and theatrics, preparing the public for the unavoidable.

Russian hawks who want to keep insisting that Russia can still be defeated, such as Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, and military industrial lobbyists. However, nothing has changed on the ground since they’ve been selling this story and a number of magical solutions, such as the supply of F16 fighter planes or long-range missile strikes into Russian territory. Ukraine’s men, population, and infrastructure are all being lost.

Under the current circumstances, it is improbable that Ukraine could reach a better deal than the one it rejected in Istanbul in the spring of 2022 or as it might have done before thanks to the Minsk agreements. The separatist-controlled regions of the Donbass region, which Russia has now formally annexed, would remain under the control of Ukraine under the latter framework, which was agreed upon in 2015-2016.

The outcomes of the conflict have been based on Kyiv’s experience. Oleksiy Arestovych, a former adviser to Zelenskyy’s administration and Ukraine’s main talking point at the start of the war, once said in March 2022, “getting less than we had before the war means our defeat.”

In other words, if the outcome was worse than what Ukraine would have experienced under Minsk, the conflict is not worthwhile to fight. With all the terrible losses it has suffered over the past three years, Ukraine is even further away from achieving this objective. The blame game has already begun because of this.

Trump’s version of it involves blatant indolence and a waste of Western aid, according to Trump. He also blabs some of the nations in Europe for not helping Ukraine, which is false.

He is not the only one who is playing this game, though. Politicians in Europe may be expressing lofty opinions about Ukraine’s unwavering support, but the message is that the US must always support them. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged that “strong US support” will be essential in order to help Ukraine obtain a much better deal than Minsk when he mentioned a “coalition of the willing” to assist it with “boots on the ground and planes in the air.”

At their upcoming summit, the EU is unlikely to agree on the 20 billion euro ($21. 6 billion) aid package for Ukraine despite proverbs. In the absence of US support, Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, has proposed a bold plan to “re-arm Europe” and assist Ukraine, but Hungary and Slovakia, which are allies of Trump, have declared they will veto any additional aid to Kyiv.

European leaders can point fingers at Trump and attribute his role in the Ukraine-related disaster because getting the US back on board is a prerequisite for that.

Zelenskyy, for his part, is attempting to persuade the Ukrainian people that he has done his absolute best by endured reprimands and outright humiliation in an effort to win the support of the West and advance Ukrainian interests.

Given the circumstances on the battlefield and the uncertainty of NATO membership, he presented a maximalist “victory plan” to the Biden administration last fall, knowing that it was going to be rejected.

Given that Ukraine is a victim of brutal Russian aggression, what he is doing is continuing to promote maximalism from the position of moral superiority.

Zelenskyy keeps clamoring for “security guarantees” from the West, knowing for a fact that pressure was put on the West to refuse to do so in Istanbul in exchange for them.

The Ukrainian public should be the subject of all of this public shaming and maximalism. When he doesn’t receive what he demands, Zelenskyy will be able to claim that Ukraine has been betrayed and that there is nothing left to do but negotiate with Russia.

The ruling elite and the president of Ukraine have been very objective in their discussions of the prospects for the country in private. At a secret parliamentary hearing in late January, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, told lawmakers that Ukraine should start talks on peace by the summer or face “dangerous” consequences for the Ukrainian state. The HUR lacked a warm response to the media reports that an MP was present at the meeting.

In the US, Europe, and Ukraine, all this arguing on the verge of the unavoidable is a sign of a political culture that prioritizes neatly packaged messaging over substance. Since 2014, the Western strategy for the conflict with Russia has been predominated by this political culture.

In terms of information, The West has successfully defeated Moscow (and perhaps some truth) on a variety of media platforms aimed at various audiences. But Vladimir Putin, a brutal and criminal who prefers substance over form and whose decisions are based on reality rather than wishful thinking, is undoubtedly going to win the fight on the ground.

Australia’s eastern coast is currently awash with a rare tropical cyclone that could cause destructive winds and dangerous storm surges.

Late on Friday or early on Saturday, Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to make landfall close to Brisbane, Australia’s third-largest city.

The city of 2.5 million people have been hit by a cyclone for the first time in more than 50 years, raising concerns about severe flooding and damage in a region that is accustomed to direct cyclone impacts.

What we are currently aware of about Alfred and its potential impact:

What exactly is Cyclone Alfred?

A Category 2 tropical cyclone is robbing toward Queensland’s sparsely populated southeast coast.

The storm, which originated in the Coral Sea east of Australia, unexpectedly turned in the Pacific Ocean, heading straight for the mainland, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain, and potentially life-threatening storm surges.

This route has the potential to travel through densely populated areas that are unfamiliar with cyclone-assisted direct hits.

Although cyclones typically form in tropical northern Australia, Alfred is only recently hitting the cooler eastern coast, which is unusual. Cyclone Zoe, the last cyclone to strike Brisbane in 1974, brought severe flooding.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated to reporters in Brisbane that a tropical cyclone is unusual to occur in a region that is not a part of the tropics, such as southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Alfred is anticipated to make landfall when and where?

According to Queensland’s Bureau of Meteorology, the cyclone is forecast to hit land on Friday night or Saturday morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported that Alfred was 225 kilometers (140 miles) east of Brisbane and 210 kilometers (130 miles) east-northeast of the Gold Coast at 8:54 GMT on Thursday.

The slow-moving system is stalled over warm waters off the Queensland coast, according to experts, which has caused Alfred’s arrival to take longer. Low vertical wind shears and ocean waters, which could strengthen the storm further before it reaches the coast, are both attracted to this system, giving it more time to intensify.

anticipated impact

Alfred is scheduled to travel to the coast between Brisbane and the state’s further south, which has more than 3 million residents.

⚠️Issued 4: 46pm AEST

225 kilometers east of Brisbane is the mythical #CycloneAlfred (Cat 2).

As it approaches the coast today and tomorrow, Alfred is a category 2 cyclone, and it is expected to stay that way. This evening’s impact is anticipated to increase. https://t.co/abjo0qiR5X pic. twitter.com/ZoG046uSE6

Will Alfred survive forever?

Floodwaters are expected to rise after the cyclone moves inland, according to forecasters, and Alfred’s impact will last for a number of days.

Strong winds and heavy rain are expected through the entire week, but the worst weather is expected from Thursday evening through Saturday morning.

What kind of a name does Alfred have, and what might it do?

Alfred is currently categorized as a Category 2 storm, which translates to strong winds of 89 to 117 km/h (55 to 73 mph) capable of causing power outages, tree removal, and damage to homes. Additionally, forecasts call for dangerous storm surges and heavy rain.

Storms are categorised using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is used by authorities. According to the scale’s sustained wind speeds, hurricanes are classified into five different strength categories. Category 5 has the highest level of “catastrophic damage.”

According to the Bureau of Meteorology in some places, the total rainfall from the cyclone could exceed 800 mm (31. 5 inches) in comparison to the typical March rainfall.

Additionally, wind gusts of up to 155 kilometers per hour (96 mph) are anticipated, which could damage buildings, obliterate trees, and obstruct electrical service.

The storm surge could worsen, causing thousands of homes to be flooded in low-lying areas, because the Queensland coast has already experienced strong waves in recent days.

Schools, hospitals, airports, and public transportation are all closing as the area prepares for the storm.

What regions will Alfred’s effects be?

A 300-kilometer (190-mile) stretch of coastline between Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay in New South Wales will be affected by the cyclone.

Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and northern New South Wales are some of the areas that are thought to be the worst-affected.

Up to 20 000 homes, according to Brisbane’s chief executive, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, could experience some form of flooding.

How should I make the storm’s path home?

Local authorities have recommended a number of precautions and measures, including:

Installing shutters or boarding up windows and doors to withstand the winds and debris. ​
• Buy enough emergency supplies, including water, food, batteries, medications, and batteries for at least three days. Essential items are already running out on supermarket shelves.
• In a waterproof bag, pack first aid supplies, battery-operated radios, and important documents.
• Evacuation planning: Look for official alerts and determine safe routes to the closest evacuation centers.
• Avoid the coast: Beaches are already crashing down by five meters (16 feet) of waves.

There are now a number of things you can do to protect yourself from Tropical #CycloneAlfred.
Keep in mind that weather effects can be anticipated to last for more than just the crossing.
Follow the advice of the emergency services.
Follow weather forecasts at https://t.co/nrtdU01P1q https://t.co/xazFQT9diR

Will the environment be impacted by public transportation?

Yes, southeast Queensland’s public transportation system will experience significant disruption. Up until further notice, all bus and train services have been suspended from Wednesday’s final service. ​

Due to risky conditions on the Brisbane River, Brisbane’s CityCat ferries have also stopped operating.

What other delays and closures exist?

From Thursday through Friday, more than 700 schools in Queensland and northern New South Wales will be closed.

Additionally, the Gold Coast Airport was shut down from Wednesday afternoon and major airlines like Qantas and Virgin have already canceled flights.

What steps are being taken by authorities?

Albanese claimed that his administration has distributed 250, 000 sandbags to Brisbane and the Gold Coast residents who are in flood-prone areas. These can serve as barriers to preventing flooding and directing water away from buildings.

Additionally, the military has provided 80 000 more sandbags to flood-prone regions.

For those who can’t find safe shelter, the Brisbane Showgrounds will be a cyclone refuge center.

In Queensland, evacuation centers are also being established to provide residents with long-term housing who have lost their homes to flooding or storm damage.