Summary
Trump defended his new tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico as a response to the fentanyl crisis, but experts say overdose deaths have already been declining due to law enforcement efforts and naloxone distribution.
Critics argue tariffs will harm trade and cooperation while failing to curb fentanyl trafficking, most of which occurs at the U.S.-Mexico border. Just 10 lbs were seized from Canada.
Canada and Mexico condemned the tariffs, with Mexico threatening countermeasures.
Experts say naloxone access and cartel crackdowns, not tariffs, are driving overdose reductions.
I feel like people are trying to read too far into Trump’s intentions. He doesn’t even know what a tariff is, he just knows that it hurts someone, and being a bully that’s all he wants to do. He’s just trying to throw his weight around and make people notice him, and it’s working.