Once again, former President Donald Trump is wielding tariffs like a sledgehammer, this time raising them on Canada to 35 per cent, with threats of even steeper penalties for countries that won’t play ball with his chaotic brand of trade diplomacy. This isn’t about fairness or fentanyl. It’s political theater the kind Trump thrives on dressed up as economic nationalism.
Trump’s executive order, signed Thursday, raises tariffs on Canadian goods starting midnight Friday. Why? Because, according to the White House, Canada isn’t doing enough to stop fentanyl from entering the United States a claim that’s as misleading as it is politically convenient.
Let’s get this straight: the U.S. government’s own data shows that just one per cent of fentanyl seized at American borders comes from Canada. The vast majority comes from Mexico. Yes, there was a spike in seizures at the northern border in April and May, but even those numbers 11 and 14 kilograms respectively pale in comparison to what’s intercepted at the southern border every single month.
Still, the White House is spinning this as a national emergency. Why? Because Trump needs a scapegoat. And Canada, with its “retaliatory” tariffs and its Prime Minister who dares to recognize a Palestinian state, fits the bill. Fentanyl is the convenient crisis Trump is exploiting to revive his trade-war strategy, just in time for campaign season.
The move reeks of political posturing. Trump’s own rhetoric gave it away when he casually lumped in longstanding grievances Canada’s dairy system, defense spending, and even “poor leadership” with his fentanyl justification. This isn’t targeted policy; it’s a laundry list of complaints repackaged as an emergency response.
To be clear, Canada has been stepping up efforts to fight fentanyl. Border security has been boosted. A national “fentanyl czar” is in place. Police busts are up. But none of that fits Trump’s narrative of Canadian neglect. He needs a reason to punish Canada and by extension, show his base he’s tough on both drugs and America’s trade “freeloaders.”
It’s worth noting that Trump’s executive order conveniently exempts goods traded under the CUSMA agreement. So while the tariffs sound sweeping, they’re surgically designed to leave a legal loophole open a classic Trump move to appear aggressive while hedging against total economic fallout.
And then there’s the timing. The tariffs hit just as Canada-U.S. trade talks are dragging on without resolution. Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled that a deal by August 1st was unlikely. Trump, in response, throws a tantrum in the form of a 10 per cent tariff hike. It’s the art of the deal if your definition of art is lighting the negotiating table on fire.
Let’s not overlook the cynical linkage Trump made between Canada’s position on Palestine and the trade deal. He said recognizing a Palestinian state would make a deal “very hard.” Moments later, he backtracked and called it “not a dealbreaker,” leaving us with the usual Trumpian confusion. Is Canada being punished for its Middle East policy or its dairy policy? Or is this just another way to keep everyone guessing?
Meanwhile, Canadian officials have taken the high road, refusing to comment on Trump’s provocations and focusing on securing a fair trade deal. Whether that’s possible in this climate remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: this is not about fentanyl. It’s not even about trade. It’s about Trump being Trump unpredictable, aggressive, and forever campaigning. The danger is, in treating foreign policy like a reality show, the real casualties will be businesses, workers, and diplomatic trust.
And that’s a price neither side of the border can afford.
