Whatâs Happening?
According to a Sunday White House press statement, President Trump just signed an amendment to his earlier executive order aimed at cracking down on illicit drugs coming through the northern border. This move tweaks trade rules to make sure tariffs are fully collected on certain imports.
Why It Matters
Trump is taking a hard stance on stopping drugs from coming into the U.S. from Canada. âWe are shutting down the flow of deadly drugs. No more loopholes. No more free passes,â he said. The latest amendment adjusts the way duty-free imports are handled, ensuring all applicable tariffs are paid.
Whatâs Changing?
The key change affects whatâs known as âde minimisâ treatmentâbasically, small shipments that normally avoid tariffs. Under this order, those shipments will lose their duty-free status once the Secretary of Commerce confirms the system is ready to process all tariffs efficiently. In other words, no more slipping through the cracks.
What Trump Said
âThis is about protecting American families. We canât allow our border to be a drug pipeline. The old rules let too much slideâweâre fixing it.â
The Bigger Picture
This is the third executive order on the northern border since February. Trump is escalating efforts to curb drug trafficking after reports of increasing fentanyl and other illicit substances coming through Canada. His administration argues that cracking down on trade loopholes is one way to fight the crisis.
Whatâs Next?
The Commerce Department will now work on setting up systems to make sure tariffs are collected properly. Once thatâs done, the loophole officially closes. Trumpâs team promises swift action. âWeâre not waiting around,â an official said. âThis is a priority.â
Bottom Line
Trump is tightening trade policies to combat drug smuggling from Canada. His administration is sending a clear message: the days of looking the other way are over.