“Stop Fentanyl or Pay”: Trump Issues Tariff Ultimatum to Canada
President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Canada, threatening a 35% tariff on Canadian products if the country fails to curb the flow of fentanyl over its shared border with the United States.
Trump warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a letter that the U.S. would hike the current tariff rate from 25% — and potentially even higher.
Trump suggested Canada could avoid the increased tariffs if it cooperates.
“If Canada works with me to stop the flow of Fentanyl, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter. These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country,” the president wrote.
According to a White House official cited by The Wall Street Journal, goods that comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) would, for now, be exempt from the 35% tariff rate — as they were under the earlier 25% penalty implemented by Trump earlier this year.
Canadian goods that are “transshipped” — meaning sent to the U.S. through another country in an attempt to evade Canadian tariffs — would still be subject to the higher tariff rate.
Trump criticized Canada’s trade policies, claiming they “cause unsustainable trade deficits against the United States” and specifically called out the treatment of American dairy farmers.
“Canada charges extraordinary Tariffs to our Dairy Farmers — up to 400% — and that is even assuming our Dairy Farmers even have access to sell their products to the people of Canada. The Trade Deficit is a major threat to our Economy, and, indeed, our National Security!” the president wrote.
In his letter, Trump also pointed to previous instances where Canada “retaliated” with its own tariffs rather than “working with” the United States.
The renewed tensions come as the president prepares to roll out blanket tariff increases for a range of countries.
“We’re just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay, whether it’s 20% or 15%. We’ll work that out now,” Trump told NBC News on Thursday.
“I’d like to do it today,” Trump added, referring to his plan to send letters laying out new tariff schedules. “I’m talking European Union, which is, as you know, many countries, and Canada. We’ll be putting them out over the next couple of hours.”
The president has posted several letters in recent days warning of pending tariff hikes.
Earlier this week, Trump issued one of his most aggressive threats, warning Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that Brazilian products could face a 50% tariff hike. The move comes in response to Brazil’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing criminal charges tied to the 2022 election.
“This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a Political Opponent — Something I know much about!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post defending Bolsonaro.
“The Great People of Brazil will not stand for what they are doing to their former President. I’ll be watching the WITCH HUNT of Jair Bolsonaro, his family, and thousands of his supporters, very closely. The only Trial that should be happening is a Trial by the Voters of Brazil — It’s called an Election. LEAVE BOLSONARO ALONE!” he wrote.
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