Donald Trump recently claimed that the tariffs on Canada were meant to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States. However, data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contradicts this narrative.
In the 2024 fiscal year, nearly all fentanyl seizures at U.S. borders occurred at the U.S.-Mexico border, accounting for approximately 99.8% of the total. In contrast, only a tiny fraction—less than 0.2%—was seized at the U.S.-Canada border.
Despite this, Trump proceeded with a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, justifying it as a measure to combat fentanyl trafficking. This decision has been widely criticized, with experts arguing that Canada is not a significant source of fentanyl and that these tariffs could disrupt trade and have economic consequences without addressing the real issue.
The move has also drawn backlash from business leaders and policymakers, who warn that such tariffs could spark a trade war and drive up costs for American consumers and businesses. Given the data, it appears that the claim about fentanyl coming from Canada is misleading, making the justification for these tariffs highly questionable.
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