OPINION:
Tariff diplomacy works. President Trump on Friday imposed a 25% tariff on goods coming from Mexico and Canada with an ultimatum: ramp up security at the border, or import duties will rise. By the end of the day Monday, North America was united in seeking solutions to the fentanyl crisis.
“This challenge threatens the fabric of our society. Gang members, smugglers, human traffickers, and illicit drugs of all kinds have poured across our borders and into our communities,” Mr. Trump stated in the executive order imposing the tariffs.
At first, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded with bluster. “We categorically reject the White House’s slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory,” she wrote on X.
Insisting she was defending her country’s sovereignty, Ms. Sheinbaum added: “I instruct the Secretary of Economy to implement Plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defense of Mexico’s interests.”
Reality had set in by Monday morning. Mexico needs the United States more than we need Mexico. La presidenta agreed to dispatch 10,000 of her troops to secure the border, and she will level the playing field for U.S. exports. “Our teams will begin working today on two fronts: security and trade,” she said.
Mr. Trump agreed to pause the tariffs for a month to evaluate whether she keeps her word. So far, it appears she has. Shortly after this meeting of the minds, a sophisticated Air Force surveillance aircraft took off from a base in Nebraska before openly entering Mexican airspace to gather intelligence.
It’s a fair assumption this was intended to send a message to the cartels responsible for smuggling humans and drugs: A U.S. military response is on the table.
As for the Great White North, lame duck Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also did his best to project defiance over the weekend. He announced retaliatory tariffs and vowed he would never give in — until he did.
All the work to reinforce the southern border does little good if uninvited foreigners, terrorists and criminals realize they just need to find their way to Canada to walk into the United States across the unguarded northern frontier.
The Canadian government admits “sophisticated, international drug traffickers” recognize this vulnerability and have set up fentanyl labs in Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec. Some facilities are located a stone’s throw from the U.S. border.
By close of business Monday, Mr. Trudeau announced he would align efforts with Washington. He will appoint a fentanyl czar and establish a joint task force with the United States to tackle cross-border crime. He also pledged to boost border security, citing some previously announced programs.
Mr. Trump agreed to suspend tariffs under the same 30-day terms offered to Mexico.
By taking tough stands against Ottawa and Mexico City, Mr. Trump is demonstrating to the rest of the world that the United States won’t be pushed around anymore. The message is intended for Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Beijing will prove a far more formidable adversary on the trade front, given the size of China’s economy and the ruthlessness of its ruling party. President Xi’s response to tariffs won’t be as predictable.
Fortunately, unifying North America on matters of security and trade strengthens Mr. Trump’s hand at the negotiating table that really matters.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.