The pauses—which allow a period of negotiations over drug trafficking and border security—provide a cool-down period after a tumultuous few days that put North America on the cusp of a trade war.

The last-minute deal had echoes of Trump's first administration, when he threatened Mexico with tariffs and Sheinbaum Pardo's predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador defused the threat, sending thousands of troops under his newly created National Guard to deter migrants from crossing the border.

President Donald Trump announced that he’s pausing tariffs on Mexico and Canada after speaking to leaders of both countries on Monday — just hours before the sweeping actions were set to go into effect.