White House Press Release - President Trump's Bold Action to Defend Americans

Today, President Donald J. Trump is taking decisive action to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable to their promises of ending illegal immigration and stopping the flow of deadly fentanyl and other drugs into our country.

Lawmakers are already praising President Trump's tariff announcement.

House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith said in a statement: "President Trump is delivering on his promise to take bold action to protect our communities, secure our borders, and bring in additional revenues to the federal government. The tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China send a powerful message that the United States will no longer stand by as other nations fail to halt the flow of illegal drugs and immigrants into our country. On top of these crises, our neighbors continue to take advantage of American workers, manufacturers, and farmers, including Canada's refusal to allow real access to its dairy market and Mexico's unjustified barriers to U.S. corn. As long as Canada, Mexico, and China refuse to do what is necessary to defeat cartels and end the import of drugs like fentanyl into American communities, we must use all available tools including tariffs to solve these crises.

These measures will also bring in billions in new revenue to the U.S. government – as shown by the tariffs that President Trump previously applied to Chinese goods which have already been producing more than $40 billion in additional revenue every year. I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to ensure America's priorities lead every trade decision."

House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson said in a statement: "President Trump's tariff policy has been an effective tool in leveling the global playing field and ensuring fair trade for American producers. Look no further than Colombia's about face on accepting repatriated criminal migrants at the mere threat of tariffs.

After four years of the Biden-Harris Administration's failure to expand foreign markets, which led to an inflated agricultural trade deficit of $45.5 billion, America's producers deserve an Administration that will fight for them. I look forward to working alongside of President Trump to support our hardworking producers and to make agriculture great again."

Senator Marsha Blackburn said: "Mexico and Canada are going to learn the hard way — if they refuse to work with us to secure our borders, there will be financial consequences."

Senator Tommy Tuberville said: "President Trump isn't messing around when it comes to securing the border, stopping the flow of fentanyl, and saving American lives. Mexico, Canada, and China can come to the negotiating table or they can pay a heavy price."

Senator Rick Scott said: "President Trump promised to secure our borders and stop the fentanyl and dangerous drugs from Communist China flowing through Mexico and Canada. Today, he's taking decisive action to keep that promise and keep our country safe."

Congressman Byron Donalds said: "If you facilitate the death of Americans, you will face consequences. CHINA – (1) Makes the chemicals for the fentanyl that kills Americans, (2) They received a 10% TARIFF.

MEXICO – (1) Turns the Chinese chemicals into the fentanyl that kills Americans, (2) The border where these drugs & illegal aliens are trafficked into the US, (3) They received a 25% TARIFF.

CANADA – (1) Also the border where these drugs & illegal aliens are trafficked into the US, (2) They received a 25% TARIFF, (3) Energy imports will be tariffed at 10%. Putting the "American People First" is not just a slogan, it's a CALL TO ACTION."

Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne said: "The imposition of tariffs today was completely avoidable - all these countries had to do was serve as partners in stopping the flow of deadly fentanyl that has killed over 200,000 Americans. Mexico, in particular, should be a much better neighbor and work with us to stop these deadly drugs and combat the cartels."

Congressman Andy Biggs said: "Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. President Trump's tariffs against the nations engineering the fentanyl crisis show the rest of the world that play time is over. Real leadership is back in the White House."

Congressman Eli Crane said: "I appreciate President Trump taking bold actions to put a stop to the fentanyl crisis. Too many American families have suffered the loss of a loved one. Enough talk. Time for action."

Congressman Morgan Griffith said: "Mexican cartels are the world's leading traffickers of fentanyl, meth, and other drugs. This bold action by President Trump helps apply pressure on Mexico to fully cooperate with U.S. authorities in the fight against drug traffickers and on border security."

Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger said: "Crucial times like these call for strong responses. President Trump's tariffs against Mexico, China, and Canada are a small price for these countries to pay, considering the role they've played in fentanyl pouring into our country, taking the lives of countless Americans. President Trump is the exact leader we need in these times."

A nation without borders is no nation at all — and Mexico, China, and Canada have all been complicit in the disrespect of our borders and the tidal wave of deadly drugs into our country. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45. President Trump will not stand for their complicity in the slaughter of American citizens, and that's why he's taking the following actions:

• President Trump is implementing a 25% tariff on Mexico. Mexican cartels are the world's leading traffickers of fentanyl, meth, and other deadly drugs — and their alliance with the Mexican government endangers our national security and public health. Meanwhile, millions of illegal aliens have entered our country via Mexico. The tariffs will remain in place until Mexico cooperates with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and on border security.

• President Trump is implementing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy. Enough fentanyl was seized at the northern border last year to kill 9.8 million Americans and illegal border crossings from Canada reached new records each of the last four fiscal years. The tariffs will remain in place until Canada cooperates with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and on border security.

• President Trump is implementing a 10% tariff on China. The Chinese Communist Party has subsidized Chinese chemical companies to export the deadly fentanyl that eventually arrives in the United States and kills American citizens — and China not only fails to stem the flow, it also actively encourages the business. These tariffs will remain in place until the United States secures the full cooperation of the Chinese government to end it.

As President Trump demonstrated in his first term, tariffs are a highly effective tool to produce positive outcomes for the American people. A 2024 study on the effects of President Trump's tariffs in his first administration found that they "strengthened the U.S. economy," and "led to significant reshoring" in industries like manufacturing and steel production.

There is no better negotiator than President Trump, who is doing exactly what he said he would do — put the American people first.

Promises made, promises kept.