Canada Unveils Enhanced Border Security Strategy Amid Tariff Concerns from Trump
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Ottawa, Dec 18 (NationPress) The Canadian federal government has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing border security and improving the immigration system.
This initiative comes as a direct reaction to US President-elect Donald Trump's warning of a potential 25-percent tariff on all imports from Canada unless the country takes action against illegal immigration and the trafficking of the opioid fentanyl into the United States.
A press release from Public Safety Canada outlined that the new strategy consists of five key components, including detecting and disrupting the fentanyl trade, providing new resources for law enforcement, improving operational coordination, increasing information exchange, and reducing unnecessary border traffic.
Dominic LeBlanc, the finance minister, stated, "This is a crucial step to assure both Canadians and our American allies that we are aligned in our concerns about border security and integrity," further noting that he had positive discussions with Trump's transition team.
In the recent fall economic statement, the federal government allocated 1.3 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 907 million US dollars) over six years to enhance US-Canada border security.
LeBlanc, who was appointed as Canada’s new Finance Minister on Monday, emphasized that his primary focus will be on reducing the cost of living for Canadians and strengthening relations with the United States.
The 57-year-old MP from New Brunswick, who has represented his constituency since 2000, is the son of former Governor-General Romeo LeBlanc.
President-elect Trump has pledged to impose a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico if these neighboring nations do not curb what he has termed an "invasion" of undocumented migrants and narcotics.
This announcement comes at a time when Trudeau is facing renewed calls for his resignation following the departure of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
A third of the ruling Liberal Party's MPs have demanded a change in leadership, further intensifying the ongoing political crisis in Canada.
Freeland's resignation as Finance Minister marked the first significant dissent against Trudeau from within his administration, posing a threat to his political stability.
