The president-elect has also vowed to impose new tariffs on Mexico and Canada unless stricter measures are implemented to reduce the flow of drugs into the United States.
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Nov. 27 his plans to launch a “large-scale” advertising campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of fentanyl once he assumes office in January.
Further details about the campaign, such as its cost and duration, were not provided by Trump.
He promised that by the end of the campaign, “everyone will know how truly horrific this drug is.”
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Illicit fentanyl, often mixed into fake pills resembling Xanax, Adderall, or oxycodone, has been a major contributor to the opioid crisis in the U.S., with overdose deaths increasing almost every year for the past two decades.
According to the CDC, fentanyl was responsible for the deaths of 74,702 Americans in the previous year and 76,226 in 2022.
Trump’s statements followed his earlier announcement that his administration would impose significant tariffs on Mexico and Canada unless they strengthen their efforts on border security and drug trafficking.
He emphasized that these tariffs would only be lifted once the influx of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. is halted.
Trump Warns China of Additional Tariffs
Trump issued a similar message this week to China, which U.S. officials have identified as the primary source of illicit fentanyl entering the country since at least 2017.
On Truth Social, Trump threatened to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese products unless the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) takes stronger actions to curb drug trafficking into the U.S.
Trump revealed that despite numerous discussions with China about the “massive amounts of drugs, particularly fentanyl, being sent into the United States—no progress has been made.”
“China representatives assured me that they would impose their maximum penalty, the death penalty, on any drug dealers caught, but unfortunately, they failed to follow through, and drugs continue to flood into our country, primarily through Mexico, at unprecedented levels,” he stated.
Seized fentanyl is displayed during a press conference at BC RCMP Divisional Headquarters in Surrey, B.C., Canada, on Feb. 23, 2024. Tijana Martin/The Candian Press
27 post on X reported that Claudia Sheinbaum had a productive conversation with President Donald Trump. She informed him about Mexico’s efforts to assist migrants, which have helped improve the border situation.
Sheinbaum stated in Spanish, “We talked about Mexico’s strategy regarding migration and I explained that caravans are no longer reaching the northern border as they are being taken care of within Mexico.”
“We also discussed enhancing collaboration on security matters while respecting our sovereignty, as well as our campaign to combat fentanyl consumption in the country.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
