President Donald Trump's nominee to run the Commerce Department, Howard Lutnick, said on Wednesday that Canada and Mexico can avoid looming U.S. tariffs if they act swiftly to close their borders to fentanyl,

President Donald Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, billionaire financial-services executive Howard Lutnick, made an effort Wednesday to ease concerns about potentially inflationary 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico that could hit Saturday.

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.