In the first two weeks of his second term, President Donald Trump is acting quickly and following through on his campaign promises. Repeatedly, he has promised to authorize tariffs against Canada and Mexico for their inadequate level of cooperation in stopping the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants into our country.
On Saturday, Trump followed through on his promise by signing an executive order which levels 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. There will also be a 10% tariff on goods from China and “energy resources from Canada.” According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the tariffs were enacted because “these nations have all enabled illegal drugs to pour into America.”
Regarding these threats, the executive order states “This challenge threatens the fabric of our society…Gang members, smugglers, human traffickers, and illicit drugs of all kinds have poured across our borders and into our communities. Canada has played a central role in these challenges, including by failing to devote sufficient attention and resources or meaningfully coordinate with United States law enforcement partners to effectively stem the tide of illicit drugs.”
Of course, these actions will undoubtedly have a temporary impact on our economy. Presently, 60% of our crude oil imports and 85% of our electricity imports are from Canada, which also is “the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S.” Every day, $2.7 billion worth of goods and services cross the U.S.-Canadian border.
Overall, the United States is “the largest goods importer in the world.” In 2022, the U.S. imported goods valued at $3.2 trillion. The countries that supply the most goods to Americans are China, $536.3 billion, Mexico, $454.8 billion, and Canada, $436.6 billion.
Canadian leaders should have anticipated these actions, but they are claiming to be shocked and angered. After Trump’s announcement, Canada responded with 25% tariffs on American goods. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it was “a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response.”
On Sunday, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, Chrystia Freeland, was interviewed on CNN. She said that Canadians are “furious” at President Trump because he challenged their “sovereignty.”
An example of the fury could be heard at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Before the NHL match between the Minnesota Wild and the Ottawa Senators, the national anthem of both countries was performed. Sadly, at the end of “The Star-Spangled Banner” the Ottawa fans engaged in raucous booing.
In an appeal to her fellow Canadians, Freeland has called for a “boycott” of American products and “100% tariffs” on American goods. She said Trump was “beating up on Canada” and as a result her country will respond with “total strength, total unity.”
While Ms. Freeland may believe President Trump is acting like a bully, in truth, he is responding to a “record-breaking surge in illegal immigration” across the 5.500-mile U.S-Canadian border. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), “18,644 foreign nationals were apprehended” in May of last year, the largest number in nine months. In the Swanton sector, covering the border regions of New York, New Hampshire and Vermont, illegal aliens from 85 nations were apprehended by CBP.
The growing threat of illegal immigrants and drugs across the Canadian border motivated U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA) to create the Northern Border Security Caucus. He posted on X.com, “The Northern border is virtually unwatched. Over the last three years, the Northern border has seen a record number of border crossings – 189,402 land encounters in…FY 23.”
While the United States does not provide Canada with a huge amount of foreign assistance, only $32 million in FY 22, there is a significant trade deficit between the two countries. The latest figures, in FY 22, show the United States had a $80.1 billion goods trade deficit with Canada, which marked a 68% increase over the previous year.
In a statement on Truth Social after the tariff announcement, President Trump was clear about his intentions. He posted, “We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all…I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.” Yes, President Trump, the American people voted “overwhelmingly” for your agenda because they were tired of the open border and reckless spending policies of the last administration.
With an America First agenda, in November, Trump won an electoral vote landslide, a popular vote victory and ushered in Republican control of Congress and most of the country’s governorships.
With this kind of a mandate, President Trump will retain the support of the American people despite any negative short-term economic impact of the tariffs. In fact, he indicated he may extend the tariffs to the European Union because he believes this policy will make America “very rich and very strong.”
During the presidential transition period, Trump emphasized the role of tariffs in advancing our economy. In a January 14, 2025, post on Truth Social, Trump declared his objectives, “I will create the EXTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE to collect our Tariffs, Duties, and all Revenue that come from Foreign sources.” He indicated that it was time for America to “begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying, FINALLY, their fair share.”
Although the executive order was signed on Saturday, the tariffs do not go into effect until Tuesday. A last-minute negotiated settlement may be achieved, which is the beauty of the Trump strategy. It was on display when he used the threat of tariffs to force the socialist President of Columbia to accept the return of deportees, including gang members, into his country.
Hopefully, the socialist leader of Canada will follow the same course of action. Instead of a temper tantrum, it would be better if he took effective action. If so, there will be no tariffs; however, either way, Trump and America will win.
Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and his award-winning program, “Ringside Politics,” airs Saturdays from Noon until 1 p.m. CT nationally on Real America’s Voice TV Network & AmericasVoice.News and weekdays from 7-9 a.m. & 6-7 p.m. CT on WGSO 990-AM & Wgso.com. He is a political columnist, the author of America’s Last Chance and provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on Crouere.net. For more information, email him at jcrouere@gmail.com
