Trump Threatens 35% Tariff on Canadian Goods Amid Cross-Border Fentanyl Dispute

President Trump has announced plans to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods if the country does not take stronger action to stop the flow of fentanyl across the U.S.-Canada border, escalating tensions between the two countries amid a worsening opioid crisis.

Speaking during a campaign event, Trump called the current cross-border drug trafficking situation “dangerous” and argued that Canada is not doing enough to prevent the illegal movement of fentanyl into the United States. He warned that unless Canada takes immediate and decisive steps, his administration will move forward with significant tariffs to pressure Ottawa into compliance.

“They have to stop it. If they don’t, we’re going to put a 35% tariff on all Canadian goods coming into our country,” Trump said, emphasizing that the safety of Americans takes priority over trade considerations.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid many times more potent than heroin, has been a leading driver of overdose deaths in the United States. The Biden administration previously highlighted concerns over precursor chemicals from China being used to manufacture fentanyl in Mexico, with some supply routes moving through Canada before entering the U.S.

Trump’s latest comments signal a shift in attention toward America’s northern border as part of his broader efforts to address the opioid epidemic, framing trade pressure as a tool to compel neighboring countries to align with his administration’s anti-drug efforts.

Canadian officials have not yet publicly responded to Trump’s tariff threat. The proposed 35% tariff would mark a significant escalation in trade policy between the two nations, with potential ripple effects on industries including agriculture, automotive, and manufacturing, all of which are deeply interconnected across the border.

As Trump continues to focus on the opioid crisis during his presidency, the move against Canada could become a key part of his administration’s strategy to combat the flow of fentanyl while testing economic leverage as a means to address the issue.

With input from Fox Business