Canada’s role in U.S. drug crisis questioned as Donald Trump’s fentanyl claims face reality check

U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about fentanyl smuggling from Canada, a narrative he’s used to justify imposing punishing tariffs, isn’t lining up with his own government’s latest findings.

During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Tuesday, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed that Canada wasn’t even mentioned on the list of countries posing a major drug threat in its Annual Threat Assessment.

Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich from New Mexico, who raised the question, seemed surprised while pointing out that Trump’s harsh reality didn’t match the facts presented by his top intelligence officials.

“The president has stated that the fentanyl coming through Canada is massive, and actually said it was an unusual and extraordinary threat, and that was the language that was used to justify putting tariffs on Canada. I’m just trying to reconcile those two issues,” said Heinrich.

“I don’t have the numbers related to Canada in front of me at this time, I’d like to get back to you on the specifics of that answer,” replied Gabbard.

Heinrich countered, “It’s less than 1 per cent of the fentanyl that we are able to interdict. But if you have different information, I would very much welcome that.”

In fiscal 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data reveals the seizure of less than 45 pounds of fentanyl at the northern border, compared to more than 21,000 pounds at the southern border.

Despite the facts, Canada has gone along with Trump’s narrative, responding firmly by investing over $1 billion into new security measures aimed at combating drug trafficking along the Canada-U.S. border.

Canada named a new “fentanyl czar,” listed Mexican cartels as terrorist groups and launched a Canada-U. S. joint strike force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. More helicopters and drones were launched and additional officers were tasked with guarding the border.

However, one expert warns that by doing so, Canada’s relationship with the U.S. remains highly vulnerable, especially when the facts directly contradict the president’s claims.

“Every time Canada plays along with Trump’s claims, we are reinforcing the reality of those words, making them real, and also demonstrating that we are willing to be browbeaten into doing things that the President asks,” said Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at the University of British Columbia.

“What Donald Trump says, creates a kind of reality all of its own, given the the power that his words have among his supporters. So, I think this is a moment where we can remind ourselves that there is a strong relationship there, if we work towards it again, but we can’t take any anything from this that we are indeed moving in that direction.”

As trade talks continue and a federal election looms, Prest believes Canada likely faces a tough diplomatic road ahead.

“But I do think this would serve to underscore the points that Canadian politicians and Canadian people have been making throughout this growing confrontation…Canada is not a threat to the United States.”

—With files from The Associated Press, and The Canadian Press