WASHINGTON, Feb 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Wednesday that the country's major trading partners Canada and Mexico could face reciprocal tariffs in April, a separate plan from levies President Donald Trump has threatened over immigration and drugs.

Lutnick's remarks in an interview with Fox News came after Trump spoke on various tariff issues during a cabinet meeting earlier Wednesday.

Trump announced -- then halted -- sweeping 25 percent levies on Canadian and Mexican imports this month over illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling, with Canadian energy to face a lower rate.

But the month-long pause ends next Tuesday.

Asked if he planned to proceed on the tariffs next week, Trump said during the cabinet meeting he was not stopping them -- while adding that both countries would also face duties on April 2.

Lutnick distinguished between levies aimed at curbing the flow of fentanyl from reciprocal tariffs that Trump has separately called for.

On the 25 percent rate over fentanyl and immigration, Lutnick said on Fox News: "We'll just see if they did a good job or not, we'll see."

"But then April 2, it's his turn to say, What's fairness? Who's treating us fairly?" he added, referring to the president.

"That's reciprocal," he said. "How you treat us is how you get treated."

Lutnick did not specify how the tariffs might pile up on Canadian and Mexican imports.

Trump's reciprocal tariffs, tailored to each US trading partner, could start as soon as April 2, Lutnick had said earlier.

This would be after US agencies complete studies Trump called for on various trade issues.