One of the greatest security threats the United States (US) has faced in recent years is the illegal immigration and the entry of deadly drugs such as fentanyl into the country. This issue has profound effects not only on public health but also on national security. The fact that powerful drugs like fentanyl are crossing borders and threatening American society highlights how complex and multidimensional this problem is. The US has been developing different strategies to control this issue. However, it has become increasingly clear that trade policies will also play an important role in this fight.
The new trade decisions announced by Donald Trump on February 1, 2025, are part of the US’s tough economic measures against these threats. Trump has decided to impose an additional 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on imports from China. Behind this decision lies the aim of making these countries more responsible in the fight against illegal immigration and drug trafficking, which threaten US national security.[1] However, this strategy can be seen not only as a reorganization of trade but also as a step in defending the US’s security. It is important to note here that Trump’s decisions demonstrate that global trade relations are built on a very delicate balance, and such economic measures will not only impact the target countries but also reflect on the US population.
Canada has been the first and most forceful country to respond to the US tariff decision. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that a 25% tariff will be imposed on $155 billion worth of imports from the US. This retaliation goes beyond being a step to defend Canada’s economic interests; it is also a strategy that could target the US economy.[2] In particular, the potential damage to US automobile assembly plants and production facilities shows that the impact of these decisions on the American people could extend much further. Especially increases in food and energy prices could make the domestic political repercussions of Trump’s decisions more evident. At this point, it should be noted that beyond trade, the fragility of economic interdependence between countries and the risks national security policies carry in this context must be acknowledged.
China, on the other hand, has addressed the US tariffs not only from an economic perspective but also from a diplomatic and international cooperation standpoint. China has emphasized that it has fulfilled its international obligations in the fight against fentanyl and has cooperated with the US on this issue. China argues that the US will not solve the problem by merely increasing accusations and sanctions, but rather that these steps will weaken existing collaborations.[3] China’s stance carries a message that it is not just an economic response but a reminder of the need to maintain international trust and global cooperation. Efforts to find a common solution to global drug trade could become more complicated with such unilateral steps. Here, the importance of international cooperation is once again emphasized.
Mexico’s retaliation against the US follows a strategy similar to China’s stance. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that she will activate the “Plan B” in response to the US tariffs. While keeping the door open for dialogue, Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico will not hesitate to retaliate when necessary to protect its economic interests.[4]Mexico’s relationship with the US is based on a complex balance, which includes both economic dependence and the need to defend national interests.
The US’s decision on tariffs is not only creating a turning point in economic relations but also in global security and diplomatic relations. It is clear that these decisions represent a deep expression of national security and foreign policy objectives. However, these steps, which could have a wider global impact, will move both trade relations and international cooperation into a new phase. Trump’s move can be seen as a defense against threats, but it also aims to test the fragile balances in the global system.
The reactions of major trade partners such as Canada and China to these tariffs particularly highlight how US foreign policies can transform not only economic balances but also strategic security. Canada’s decision to retaliate with a 25% tariff is not just an economic blow, but also a development that could fundamentally question the relationship between the two countries. Trudeau’s warnings that the US risks its internal economy shed light on the domestic political repercussions of these decisions. However, the most critical question here is: How can US national security concerns reshape global trade relations without causing further harm? If the control of foreign trade is determined solely based on threat perception, how stable can the global economic structure remain?
In an era where such trade wars are increasingly shaping the future of economies, a much more careful and strategic approach to international relations is required. As the Trump administration seeks to draw a clearer line between security and trade, the effects of these steps on both its own people and the global economy cannot be ignored. At the same time, the message the US sends to the world through such economic sanctions is also significant. On a global scale, countries are more interdependent, and national security has evolved from being a local issue to one that affects the entire world.
In conclusion, the new trade decisions made by the US affect not only economic relations but also global security and diplomatic balances. The Trump administration’s strategy in combating illegal immigration and drugs like fentanyl shapes trade policies for security purposes. However, these decisions have received strong responses from trade partners such as Canada, China, and Mexico. This situation demonstrates how closely national security and economic interests are tied together. Global cooperation and mutual trust are crucial for ensuring national security. The future of global trade is extremely important to be developed based on economic interdependencies and cooperation between countries.
[1] “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Imposes Tariffs on Imports from Canada, Mexico and China”, The White House,https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-imposes-tariffs-on-imports-from-canada-mexico-and-china/, (Accessed: 03.02.2025).
[2] “Canada announces retaliatory tariffs on long-time ally”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-trudeau-announces-counter-tariffs-2025-02-02/, (Accessed: 03.02.2025).
[3] “China’s public security ministry strongly opposes U.S. tariff hikes”, Xinhua,https://english.news.cn/20250203/80af2e8671bf4642aaddcefaf9d0f5a5/c.html, (Accessed: 03.02.2025).
[4] “Mexico vows retaliation to Trump tariffs without detailing targets”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-president-orders-retaliatory-tariffs-against-us-2025-02-02/, (Accessed: 03.02.2025).
