Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced Tuesday that Canada is considering strengthening its border resources in response to threats from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports and Mexican. These threats are conditional on Canada and Mexico taking measures to stem the flow of migrants and illegal drugs crossing the US border.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, nearly 200,000 “encounters” were recorded at the Canada-U.S. border during the fiscal year ending in September. This figure includes arrests, people deemed inadmissible and those removed from the United States. Robert Garcia, regional Border Patrol chief, said agents in the Swanton sector, covering Vermont’s border with Quebec, have apprehended more than 19,000 people from 97 countries over the past year. surpassing the total of the previous 17 years.
In terms of drug seizures, the US border agency reports having intercepted more than 5,000 kilos of illicit substances at the Canadian border last year, including around 20 kilos of fentanyl. At the same time, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) conducted major operations linked to Mexican drug cartels, including the arrest of three individuals in Surrey, British Columbia, and a joint operation with the FBI that led to the arrest of nine Canadians in Ontario and Mexico.
Faced with these challenges, Minister Miller stressed that Canada is considering various measures to strengthen border security, including increasing dedicated resources. This initiative aims to address American concerns while protecting Canada’s economic and security interests.
The announcement of 25% customs tariffs by President-elect Trump has raised concerns among Canadian businesses, particularly Quebec SMEs, which rely heavily on exports to the United States. These tariffs could cause significant economic impacts, affecting supply chains and increasing costs for consumers on both sides of the border.
Historically, trade relations between Canada and the United States have been marked by tariff disputes, particularly on lumber and steel and aluminum products. These disputes have often led to negotiations and agreements aimed at balancing the economic interests of both nations.
In this context, Canada strives to work closely with the United States to address shared border security and trade concerns, while protecting its own economic interests and the security of its citizens.
Source: L’Actualité
