President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Commerce Department said Mexico and Canada can avoid new tariffs due this weekend if they clamp down on border security — while also signaling that Trump is likely to impose widespread new levies to return manufacturing to US soil.

President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Commerce Department has told US lawmakers that Canada and Mexico can avoid blanket tariffs if they close their borders to fentanyl. "As far as I know, they are acting swiftly, and if they execute it, there will be no tariff," Howard Lutnick said on Wednesday during a confirmation hearing before senators.

U.S. tariffs against Canada could come in two steps, with the first blow coming as early as Saturday if Ottawa can't show it has shut its borders to illegal immigration