Summary
Trump defended his new tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico as a response to the fentanyl crisis, but experts say overdose deaths have already been declining due to law enforcement efforts and naloxone distribution.
Critics argue tariffs will harm trade and cooperation while failing to curb fentanyl trafficking, most of which occurs at the U.S.-Mexico border. Just 10 lbs were seized from Canada.
Canada and Mexico condemned the tariffs, with Mexico threatening countermeasures.
Experts say naloxone access and cartel crackdowns, not tariffs, are driving overdose reductions.
From my understanding of the thought process (not “logic”, but a thought process), it’s like this: If we place tariffs on nations where we know smuggled goods are coming from, the economic impact of lost trade with the USA will cause them to enforce our border policies about what we allow in. It’s using force (the only language something like the current admin understands) to outsource labor.