The president reiterated that tariffs are coming, even as his advisers are considering several offramps to avoid enacting universal tariffs on Mexico and Canada, people familiar with the matter say.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would soon decide whether to exclude Canadian and Mexican oil imports from the 25% tariffs that he has vowed to impose on Saturday on the countries' products.

Washington is playing the waiting game as Feb. 1 nears. By our complex calculations, that’s Saturday, and it’s the date Trump has teased for when Mexico and Canada – two of America’s largest trading partners – will be slapped with 25% tariffs. (China, meanwhile, could get a 10% levy.)