‘TARIFF TRAGEDY’: Trudeau minimizes Canada’s fentanyl problem at Economic Summit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apparently remains in denial about Canada’s contribution to the North American fentanyl crisis and doesn’t understand the US tariff threat.

Trudeau on Friday told a summit of Canadian business leaders that Canada is only responsible for a “tiny” bit of the fentanyl problem. He also lamented how Canada is “bitterly touched by the tragedy” of tariffs proposed by the US.

President Donald Trump for months has been threatening 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, due to an overwhelming amount of fentanyl and illegal aliens entering the US.

The president imposed a 10% tariff on China earlier this week, accusing the Middle Kingdom of being the source of materials made to make the synthetic opioid. These materials are then transported to Mexico and Canada, namely Vancouver, where they are manufactured into fentanyl and trafficked throughout Canada and into the US.

Trudeau, however, appears oblivious to this systematic crisis, and doesn’t fully understand why Trump remains resolute about the impending tariffs, scheduled to go into effect March 1. The tariff was initially to go into effect February 1, but Trump gave a brief reprieve after two phone calls in the same day with Trudeau, who promised to send 10,000 officers to the border and appoint a “fentanyl czar.”

After Toronto Olivia Chow introduced the prime minister at the summit and condemned what she called “senseless US trade action,” Trudeau stood up to address the summit.

“The 30 days extension given on the border of federal tariffs is something we need to use,” said Trudeau.

“We need to be very deliberate about how we engage closely with the United States to make the case and demonstrate that Canada is responsible for a tiny part of the North American fentanyl problem — but that we are also bitterly touched by this tragedy.”

“We want to be part of solving for this, and over the next 30 days, we will demonstrate that even the tiny amount that is Canada's responsibility into the United States is going to reduce even further.”

Trudeau vowed it would be a priority for Canada “to make sure that there is no reason [for Trump] to move forward with those tariffs 30 days from now.”

“If those tariffs do end up coming in … we need to be ready to respond robustly.”

At centerstage during the summit was the Council on Canada-US Relations, a panel made up of Canadian leaders in business, trade and industry.

Members include Jean Charest, Rachel Notley, Hassan Yussuff and Arlene Dickinson.

Dickinson the day before the summit posted ominous to social media, calling for “emergency measures” to be put in place.

The last time the Canadian government used “emergency measures” was on peaceful protesters in Ottawa during the 2022 Freedom Convoy. Dickinson’s post has gone viral on social media, with many interpreting her statement as a call for the Trudeau Liberals to yet again invoke the Emergencies Act.