Public Safety Minister David McGuinty is in Washington, DC, Thursday in a last-ditch effort to avert a tariff war with the US, per Blacklock’s Reporter. Tariffs are set to go into place on Saturday.
McGuinty’s hurried mission followed testimony at a US Senate hearing in which a star witness blamed Canadian drug labs for killing Americans.
“We are going to continue to bear down on the border and other measures to be able to deal with some of these problems,” McGuinty told reporters on Wednesday..
“But I want to make it very clear, our border is strong and we are making it even stronger.”
“When our largest ally raises concerns, we take it seriously,” said McGuinty.
“Comments earlier today have led me to come here and make a few clarifying remarks so Canadians understand and our American counterparts understand where we are.”
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian exports effective February 1 in retaliation for cross-border fentanyl smuggling.
McGuinty on Thursday claimed Canada accounted for a small fraction of fentanyl seized by US Customs, about 1%.
However a 2024 Memorandum For The Prime Minister counted “more than 350 organized crime groups actively involved in the domestic illegal fentanyl market” in Canada.
Further, the Department of Foreign Affairs in a June 17 briefing note identified Canada as a leading exporter of fentanyl.
“Seizures of Canada-sourced fentanyl in places like the United States and Australia suggest domestic production is likely exceeding domestic demand and that Canada is now a source and transit country for fentanyl to some markets,” said the brief.
McGuinty said he took note of remarks Wednesday at a hearing of the US Senate Commerce Committee by Howard Lutnick, a New York financier nominated as Secretary of Commerce. Lutnick depicted Canada as disrespectful of the United States.
“What do you make of Mr. Lutnick’s comments?” asked a reporter.
“I think we should take Mr. Lutnick’s comments seriously,” replied McGuinty.
“I think we should take them at face value.”
Lutnick testified the Saturday tariffs were a question of national security. “The short term issue is illegal migration and worse, even still, fentanyl coming into this country and killing over 100,000 Americans,” he said.
“There is no war we could have that would kill 100,000 Americans,” said Lutnick.
“The president is focused on ending fentanyl coming into the country. You know labs in Canada are run by Mexican cartels? This tariff model is simply to shut their borders, with respect.”
“Respect America,” said Lutnick.
“We are your biggest trading partner. Show us the respect. Shut your border and end fentanyl coming into this country. It is not a tariff per se, it is an action of domestic policy.”
“Shut your border and stop allowing fentanyl into our country, killing our people.”
“This is a separate tariff to create action from Mexico and action from Canada, and as far as I know they are acting swiftly. If they execute it there will be no tariff. If they don’t then there will be.”
Lutnick explained a broader review of tariffs on goods like dairy products was pending. “Those studies will come out in March and April,” he said.
“Talk me through how those tariffs will be implemented,” asked Sen. Gary Peters.
“The big tariff view is going to be studied,” replied Lutnick.
“Canada treats our dairy farmers horribly,” said Lutnick.
“That’s got to end. If Canada is going to rely on America for its economic growth, how about you treat our ranchers, our farmers and our fishermen with respect?”
