WASHINGTON/CMEDIA: As U.S. President Donald Trump tariffs reportedly continue, a drop is seen in people at the Canada-U.S. border.
“Thanks to President Trump, operational control of the border is becoming a reality and the administration’s historic measures are yielding huge results,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a press briefing Tuesday.
Leavitt said only 54 people were apprehended last month in the Swanton Sector of the northern border accounting for a 95 per cent drop since March 2024.
Trump cited the flow of people and fentanyl across the border as the reason for threatening Canada with steep tariffs.
The US-Canada border was guarded by the launch of more helicopters and drones were launched and tasking additional officers. A Canada-U.S. joint strike force was also launched to combat crime as “fentanyl czar,” listed Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows only a tiny volume of fentanyl is seized at the northern border.
An executive order declaring an emergency at the northern border was signed by Trump and in March went ahead with the economywide duties against Canada.
The levies were partially paused a few days later for imports compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, called CUSMA.
Imports that aren’t compliant continue to be hit with 25 per cent tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy and potash.
Since Trump launched his trade war with the world in early April, markets have been in turmoil.
His implementation of “reciprocal” tariffs was taken back a few hours later by putting in place a 90-day pause to negotiate trade deals.
Still imposing a 10 percent tariff on most countries, the US has levied 25 percent tariffs on automobile, steel and aluminum imports.
After Trump hit China with 145 percent tariffs, it was countered by Beijing with 125 percent duties on U.S. goods.
