Trump sets tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China against 'fentanyl crisis'

United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China to address the fentanyl crisis, according to the White House, Anadolu Agency reported.

The measures include a 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods and an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports until those countries “cooperate fully” with the US in combating drug trafficking, it said.

The new rates will take effect Feb 4, according to the order.

“President Donald Trump is taking decisive action to protect Americans from the fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45,” claimed the statement.

However, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading causes of death in the country for 2022 were heart disease (702k), cancer (608k), accidents (227k), and Covid-19 (186k).

The US accused Mexican cartels of being the “world’s leading traffickers” of fentanyl and other drugs, alleging an alliance between the cartels and the Mexican government.

Regarding Canada, the White House highlighted growing fentanyl production and illegal border crossings, stating, “Enough fentanyl was seized at the northern border last fiscal year to kill 9.8 million Americans.”

In addition to the 25 percent tariff, the US also imposes a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy resources, it said.

China was criticised for its alleged role in subsidising chemical companies in exporting fentanyl, with the White House claiming, “China not only fails to stem the source of illicit drugs but actively helps this business.”

The US urged the target countries to refrain from retaliation.

Should they retaliate in response to the measures “the president may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this order to ensure the efficacy of this action”, it said.

Meanwhile, Canada announced it will introduce tariffs of 25 percent on imports from the United States in retaliation to US tariffs, reported German news agency dpa.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the country would introduce matching 25 percent tariffs on up to US$155 billion in imports from the US.

The actions taken by the White House “split us apart instead of bringing us together”, Trudeau told a press conference.

“If President Trump wants to usher in a new golden age for the United States, the better path is to partner with Canada, not to punish us.”

President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico suggested that her nation has a series of measures in place to respond to any decision from Trump to impose new duties.

Duty-free de minimis treatment will not be available for the new measures, according to the White House.

The De Minimis Tax Exemption allows shipments bound for American businesses and consumers valued under US$800 to enter the US free of duty and taxes.

- Bernama

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