WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump is vowing to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China over drug trafficking and border security concerns. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called for a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada.
“As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before,” Trump posted. “On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.”
The president-elect also turned his attention to China, blaming it for its role in the fentanyl crisis. Trump alleged that Chinese officials had previously assured him they would enforce the death penalty for drug dealers but claimed those promises went unfulfilled.
In response, Trump proposed adding a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, stacking it on top of existing trade restrictions.
According to the South China Morning Post, China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that fentanyl was a problem rooted in the United States, and China has one of the strictest and most thorough drug control policies in the world.
“China is willing to continue anti-drug cooperation with the United States on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect. The United States should cherish the goodwill of the Chinese side and maintain the hard-won good situation of anti-drug cooperation between China and the United States,” said the ministry.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s newly elected president, Claudia Sheinbaum, was quick to condemn Trump’s threats, calling the proposed tariffs a step toward a damaging trade war. According to several news sources, Sheinbaum also called the fentanyl issues in the United States “a problem of public health and consumption in your country’s society.”