TABNAK, Feb 04: The US President gave Canada and Mexico, a one-month deadline as signing a decree to increase tariffs on Chinese goods. This move sends a soccer message as well.
Trump started his new presidential term with quick and urgent decisions.His economic decisions have surprised many, this time he signed into law 10% tariff on Chinese goods and also gave his two neighbors a one-month deadline to impose 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico.
A one-month deadline was accompanied by soccer message that may surprise everyone. The 2026 World Cup will be held for the first time with the participation of 48 teams running from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The US will be hosting 78 matches, including all knockout matches from the quarter-finals onwards, and Canada and Mexico each will be hosting 13 matches, including one knockout match only.
The World Cup 2026 will take place 16 months after the US started a major economic-political challenge with its two neighbors, also co-partners in hosting the World Cup.
Of course, Trump's one-month deadline to Mexican and Canadian heads of states and the suspension of 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico for the next 30 days have prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to adapt to Trump's economic policies.
However, on the same day Trump signed into law the decree on the one-month deadline, he created an interesting scene in the White House.
Placing the World Cup Trophy on Trump's desk and talking about the deadline given to Canada and Mexico was undoubtedly accompanied by a message about hosting the World Cup.
The United States, which has shouldered the main burden of hosting by hosting 78 out of 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup, is definitely capable of holding the tournament entirely on its own.
Especially after Saudi Arabia has agreed to host the 2034 World Cup on its own.
This issue (co-hosting the matches with Canada and Mexico) has made an unpleasant feeling for the US.
It can be understood that if Canada and Mexico fail to adopt themselves to economic policies taken by the United States after the 30-day deadline, a new phase is expected challenging hosting the 2026 World Cup matches.
Donald Trump's threats and maximum pressure against the two countries could even challenge Canada and Mexico in hosting the World Cup which push the US to host the world matches on its own.
*Alireza Moharami, TABNAK News Website Sports Desk editor
