Trump's Tariff Tactics: The Battle Against Fentanyl

U.S. President Donald Trump maintains tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, citing their insufficient efforts to prevent fentanyl from entering the U.S. Despite temporary tariff exemptions, Trump plans to impose new 25% tariffs unless the flow of fentanyl stops, impacting economic growth and trade relations.

U.S. President Donald Trump continues to leverage tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, targeting their handling of fentanyl. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed on Sunday that Trump would not ease these measures, imposed last Tuesday, unless the flow of the lethal drug into the United States is stemmed.

Though exemptions on certain imports from Mexico and Canada were announced, the mercurial nature of these trade policies has led to market instability and concerns about inflation. Despite rolling back fentanyl-related tariffs twice in two months, Trump remains firm, as confirmed by Lutnick during an NBC interview.

White House officials criticize Canada and Mexico as transit points for fentanyl entering the U.S., citing public data and recent efforts by Canada to appoint a fentanyl czar. The trade tensions and looming tariffs have sparked debates among policymakers and economists, with dire predictions of negative impacts on economic growth and consumer prices.

(With inputs from agencies.)