Mexico and Canada are frustrated by Trump’s tariff whiplash

Mexico and Canada are struggling to negotiate with a moving target. As President Trump shifts justifications for his tariffs—from fentanyl to migration to trade deficits—officials from both countries say they can’t pin down exactly what the U.S. wants. While Mexico treads carefully, emphasizing respect for Trump, Canada is taking a sharper stance, warning of a prolonged trade war. With frustration mounting and no clear demands on the table, allies find themselves stuck in a negotiation that feels more like guesswork than diplomacy.