President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to take office with one goal in mind: putting Americans first. Trump is laser-focused on reversing the damage he says was caused by President Joe Biden’s policies. That includes fixing the economy and restoring law and order.

With inflation soaring, energy prices squeezing families, and small businesses struggling to stay afloat, Trump’s pro-business, pro-work agenda promises a return to what he calls the “golden days” of economic prosperity.

Slashing taxes, bringing jobs back to American soil, and prioritizing workers are at the heart of his plan to revive the economy.

But Trump isn’t just tackling the economy; he’s going after what he sees as another critical crisis—America’s borders. From illegal immigration to drug trafficking, Trump argues that Biden’s “open border policies” have allowed chaos to spill into the country. His solution?

From Fox News:
President-elect Trump on Monday said he would issue an executive order upon taking office to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% tariff on all products coming into the United States, as well as additional tariff hikes on China over the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs…

“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.”

Tariffs on Mexico and Canada: “They’ll Pay the Price”

A bold set of tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China was designed to force these nations to crack down on drugs and illegal crossings. The message is clear: Trump means business, and he’s not taking “no” for an answer.

In a recent Truth Social post, Trump announced his plan to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada.

Why? Because, according to him, they’ve failed to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. Trump didn’t mince words, accusing both countries of standing by while America deals with what he called an “invasion.”

“This tariff will remain in effect until such time as drugs, in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country!” Trump declared.

He added that both nations have the power to solve the problem if they choose to. His message to Mexico and Canada is simple: either step up your game or pay the price—literally.

Canada, however, pushed back, emphasizing its strong relationship with the U.S. and the mutual benefits of trade between the two countries.

Officials highlighted their commitment to border security and pointed to ongoing efforts to combat drug smuggling. The Canadians, it seems, are not amused by Trump’s latest gambit. But as Trump would say, “Too bad!”

Taking on China: Double Tariffs for Double Trouble

China isn’t getting a free pass, either. Trump is proposing an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, citing the massive amounts of fentanyl smuggled into the U.S.

He blames Chinese precursors—chemicals used to make the deadly drug—for fueling America’s opioid crisis.

Trump pointed out that China previously promised to crack down on drug dealers by imposing harsh penalties, including the death penalty.

However, he claims those promises were empty. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% tariff,” he wrote.

The fentanyl crisis is no small issue. The synthetic opioid has devastated communities, with overdose deaths climbing every year. Many victims don’t even realize they’ve consumed fentanyl, as it’s often laced into other drugs.

Trump’s tough stance on China reflects his broader goal of holding foreign nations accountable for contributing to America’s drug epidemic.

The Economic Pushback

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about Trump’s tariff plan. Critics argue that tariffs will drive up consumer prices and hurt American families already struggling with inflation.

The National Retail Federation warned that the cost of goods could rise significantly, putting additional strain on wallets.

Walmart, one of the largest retailers in the U.S., also weighed in, cautioning that higher import costs could lead to more expensive products on shelves. But Trump’s supporters argue that short-term pain is worth the long-term gain.

They believe the tariffs will protect American jobs, encourage domestic manufacturing, and send a clear message to foreign governments: no more taking advantage of the U.S.

A Two-Front War: Drugs and Jobs

Trump’s strategy ties two major issues—economic recovery and border security—into a single, aggressive policy. By making foreign governments pay for failing to address drug trafficking and illegal immigration, Trump is betting he can kill two birds with one stone.

His tariffs may ruffle feathers in Mexico, Canada, and China, but for Trump, the goal is clear: fix what he sees as Biden’s failures and put Americans first.

Whether it’s bringing jobs back from overseas, reducing dependence on foreign goods, or tackling the fentanyl crisis, Trump is positioning himself as the strongman America needs.

Key Takeaways

• Trump’s tariffs target Mexico, Canada, and China: He aims to force these nations to curb illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
• Fentanyl is a major focus: Trump blames China and Mexico for contributing to America’s opioid crisis.
• Critics warn of higher prices: While tariffs may boost domestic manufacturing, they could also lead to short-term economic pain for consumers.

Source: Fox Business