President Donald Trump. Pic: White House
The new tariffs include a 25 per cent duty on imports from Canada and Mexico, with a lower 10 per cent rate on Canadian energy resources, and a 10 per cent tariff on imports from China. The White House states that these measures are necessary to hold these countries accountable for failing to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
The administration has accused China of not taking adequate steps to prevent the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals to criminal cartels and claims that Mexico has allowed drug trafficking organisations to operate freely. A Fact Sheet released by the White House also highlights the increasing presence of fentanyl synthesis labs in Canada.
President Trump has framed these tariffs as a means of leveraging US economic power to enhance national security. “Access to the American market is a privilege,” the statement reads, adding that previous administrations failed to utilise trade policy effectively to secure US borders and prevent drug-related deaths.
With over 75,000 fentanyl-related deaths annually in the US, the administration argues that drastic measures are necessary. The announcement reinforces President Trump’s commitment to using trade policy as a tool to enforce border security and combat the drug crisis, following his previous tariff-based strategies during his first term.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)