In a bold move, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to impose hefty tariffs on imports from China and Mexico, citing the ongoing fentanyl crisis as his primary concern.
Trump declared that on his first day in office, a 25% tariff would be placed on all goods entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. This move aims to pressure these nations into addressing the issues of illegal migration and drug trafficking at the borders.
Furthermore, Trump threatened an additional 10% tariff on products from the Chinese mainland, accusing China of failing to curb the influx of fentanyl into the United States.
Responding swiftly, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., emphasized China's commitment to combating drug trafficking. \"The Chinese side has notified the U.S. side of the progress made in U.S.-related law enforcement operations against narcotics,\" Liu stated. \"These actions clearly demonstrate that China does not knowingly allow fentanyl precursors to flow into the United States.\"
Echoing China's stance, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson highlighted China's rigorous counter-narcotics policies. \"China is one of the world's toughest countries on counter-narcotics, both in policy and implementation,\" the spokesperson added. Since 2019, China has officially regulated all fentanyl-related substances, marking a significant step in global drug control efforts.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also voiced strong opposition to Trump's proposed tariffs. In a press conference, Sheinbaum emphasized that threats and tariffs would not resolve the \"migration phenomenon\" or drug consumption in the U.S. Instead, she advocated for cooperation and mutual understanding. Sheinbaum warned that tariffs could lead to retaliatory taxes on U.S. imports, jeopardizing common enterprises.
Experts caution against the proposed tariffs, arguing they may fail to address the root causes of fentanyl trafficking. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, noted, \"An imposition of tariffs is not going to do anything regarding the flow of fentanyl.\" She further warned that such measures could undermine existing counter-narcotics cooperation between the U.S. and China.
As the U.S. transitions to a new administration, the international community watches closely, hoping for collaborative solutions to the global fentanyl crisis.
Reference(s):
China, Mexico refute Trump's fentanyl-related tariff threats
cgtn.com
