Canada and Mexico are working to prove their efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking to avert impending 25% tariffs from the Trump administration due on March 4. Recent actions include Mexico’s mass extradition of drug cartel members. U.S.-China trade tensions are also intensifying, with new tariffs announced. The opioid crisis remains a critical concern, with over 72,000 deaths linked to fentanyl in the U.S. in 2023.
On Friday, Canadian and Mexican officials made efforts to demonstrate to the Trump administration their initiatives to reduce the influx of fentanyl opioids into the United States. This comes ahead of a critical deadline, March 4, when the administration intends to impose tariffs of 25% on over $900 billion worth of imports from these countries if progress is not adequately demonstrated.
President Trump reaffirmed the impending imposition of these tariffs, emphasizing the insufficient progress made in combating fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the U.S. Concurrently, he announced plans to double the existing 10% tariffs on Chinese goods for the same reasons.
In a related development, Mexico executed its largest mass extradition of alleged drug cartel members in a decade, which included a notorious kingpin and numerous individuals suspected of trafficking fentanyl into the United States. Notable among them was Rafael Caro Quintero, who faced U.S. drug trafficking charges.
Mexico’s Deputy Economy Minister, Vidal Llerenas, indicated that Mexico might consider additional trade actions to mitigate low-value shipments from China, beyond recent tariffs enacted on specific imports.
Recently, the United States took steps to suspend the duty-free exemption for packages below $800, a measure that enabled fentanyl and its precursors to enter the country without proper screening. However, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency halted this suspension to implement better screening protocols.
On the same day, President Trump was engaged in discussions related to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to the White House, where a deal for U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s minerals sector was to be signed, coinciding with broader discussions on international relations.
The new tariffs on China and the recent 10% tariff announce during the Chinese parliamentary meetings reflect a firm U.S. stance on trade matters as the administration continues negotiations with Canada and Mexico regarding fentanyl deaths, which have claimed over 72,000 lives in 2023.
Citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the article underscores the urgent need for effective measures to combat the opioid crisis stemming from synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl.
The proceedings between Canada and Mexico with the U.S. underscore the critical link between trade policy and public health initiatives aimed at combating the fentanyl crisis. As impending tariffs loom over their goods, these nations are compelled to demonstrate tangible progress in addressing the opioid epidemic to avoid economic repercussions. Concurrently, developments in U.S.-China relations indicate a broader strategy influence on international trade considerations.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
