President Donald J. Trump has announced new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. The tariffs are 25% on goods from Canada and Mexico, with a lower 10% tariff on Canadian energy products.
Imports from China will face a 10% tariff. The president invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to implement these tariffs. He said the move is in response to a national emergency caused by illegal immigration and drug trafficking, especially the influx of deadly fentanyl.
“The flow of drugs like fentanyl into the U.S. has created a severe public health crisis,” President Trump stated. He criticized Chinese officials for not adequately stemming the flow of precursor chemicals. The president also said Mexican drug cartels have formed alliances with the Mexican government, allowing the manufacturing and transport of dangerous narcotics.
There are growing concerns about Mexican cartels operating in Canada as well. A recent study highlighted Canada’s increasing domestic production of fentanyl and its expanding role in international drug distribution. President Trump emphasized that access to the American market is a privilege.
Trump imposes new import tariffs
“Tariffs are a powerful tool to protect our national interests,” he said. The administration criticized previous efforts for not using America’s economic strengths to secure the borders and combat the fentanyl epidemic.
The president stated that his administration is fulfilling promises to voters to secure the borders and curb the influx of illegal aliens and drugs. “During the Biden administration, the border crisis worsened, with over 10 million illegal entry attempts,” he noted. This included Chinese nationals and individuals on terror watchlists.
President Trump highlighted the strain illegal immigration has put on American resources, impacting schools, wages, housing, hospitals, and welfare systems. The smuggling of fentanyl has led to tens of thousands of American deaths annually. Last year, Customs and Border Protection seized over 21,000 pounds of the drug.
The administration pointed to the president’s history of using trade policy and tariffs to address national security concerns. This has included drug addiction, opioid crises, intellectual property theft by China, and oversupply of steel and aluminum. “We remain committed to using economic measures to ensure American safety and uphold national security,” a White House spokesperson said.
The tariffs will remain in place until the drug and illegal immigration crises are effectively addressed.
