Mexico, Canada step up anti-drug efforts to avoid US tariffs

(CLO) Representatives of Canada and Mexico presented to the Trump administration evidence of progress in curbing the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

The move comes ahead of a March 4 deadline when the US could impose 25% tariffs on imports from the two countries.

US President Donald Trump. Photo: WH

In Washington, Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said his meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was a “friendly working meeting”. He asserted that the US and Mexico “have a bright future working together”, but did not provide details on tariff negotiations.

On Thursday, Mr. Trump reaffirmed a Tuesday deadline to impose tariffs on more than $900 billion in annual imports from Canada and Mexico, citing insufficient progress in reducing fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States.

China, which faces 10% tariffs from March 3, has accused the US of using “tariff pressure and blackmail” over fentanyl and warned that this would be counterproductive.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday that Trump's latest tariff threat, on top of the 10% tariff imposed on February 4, "has created a serious impact, pressure, coercion and intimidation on the dialogue and cooperation between the two sides in the field of drug control."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 72,776 people died from synthetic drug use in 2023 in the United States, mostly fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic drug 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, commonly used illegally and is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.

Cao Phong (according to CNN, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/mexico-canada-tang-cuong-chong-ma-tuy-de-tranh-thue-quan-cua-my-post336673.html