Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently unveiled steps under the country’s “Canada’s Border Plan” aimed at addressing the fentanyl trade. The plan includes increasing the number of border personnel and launching a specialized unit to detect precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl. Additionally, a new drug profiling center will be established to support these efforts.
Trudeau emphasized Canada’s commitment to tackling the global fentanyl crisis directly, stating that the country is taking strong action to address the deadly drug trade.
This announcement follows a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who mentioned that Canada would implement a USD 1.3 billion border strategy to help stop fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. In exchange, Trump offered a temporary pause on tariffs on Canadian goods for 30 days, pending the effectiveness of the plan.
Trump praised the border security measures, including increased technology, personnel, and coordination with U.S. authorities, as part of the effort to combat fentanyl. He expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing that ensuring the safety of Americans is his top priority.
A report from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) revealed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 19.5 kilograms of fentanyl at the northern border in the past year, in contrast to 9,570 kilograms at the southwestern border.