Canada names ‘fentanyl czar’ and designates Mexican cartels as terrorists to avoid Trump tariffs

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that US President Donald Trump has decided to postpone the application of tariffs on Canada for at least 30 days, after the country made a series of commitments to improve border security.

Canada can breathe easy, at least for now, after the tensions generated by the threat of tariffs imposed by the US government.

Border reinforcements against organized crime
To avoid the imposition of tariffs, Trudeau explained that Canada is reinforcing its border with new investments in technology, personnel and helicopters.

In addition, there will be greater coordination with US authorities to stop the flow of fentanyl to both countries.

In total, more than 10,000 front-line officers will be working to face what President Trump had pointed out as his main priority: a forceful attack on drugs and migrants.

He also revealed details of his security strategy, which includes an investment of 1.3 billion dollars to strengthen border security.

In turn, the Canadian government committed an additional $200 million to support intelligence and counter-organized crime and fentanyl measures.

Trudeau also detailed a series of key commitments with the U.S. government, including the appointment of a “fentanyl czar.” This new official will be charged with leading Canadian efforts to curb the fentanyl epidemic, which has claimed numerous lives in both countries.

Likewise, the Canadian government committed to designating Mexican cartels as terrorists under Canadian law, a measure that aims to address drug trafficking originating from Mexico and affecting the United States and Canada.

In his remarks, the prime minister added that, in collaboration with the United States, Canada will launch the “Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force,” a joint unit that will work to combat organized crime, money laundering and fentanyl trafficking.

The tariff pause: a respite for trade relations
Through a message on social media, Trudeau expressed that, during this 30-day period, the tariffs proposed by Trump will be on hold.

“The proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together,” Trudeau wrote on his X account.

Similarities with Mexico’s agreement with the US?

Last Saturday, Trump signed an executive order that established widespread tariffs on products from Mexico, Canada and China. These tariffs are directly related to the fight against fentanyl and the reduction of illegal immigrants to the United States.

Like Canada, Mexico has also had to deal with the threat of tariffs from Trump, which led to a telephone agreement between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and Trump.

This included a series of commitments to reinforce Mexico’s northern border, deploying 10,000 members of the National Guard to stop the trafficking of fentanyl and other narcotics.

In her message on social media, Sheinbaum summarized the key points of the conversation with Trump:

Mexico will reinforce its border with 10,000 members of the National Guard.
The United States is committed to stopping the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico.
Bilateral collaboration will begin on security and trade issues.
A one-month pause on tariffs upon signing the agreement.
Although Trudeau and Sheinbaum shared similar commitments, Trump’s stance with both countries has been different. While the conversation with Sheinbaum was described by the US president as “very good,” Trump admitted that his dealings with Trudeau were more critical.

Trump y Trudeau

Source: elimparcial