Trump economic adviser: US 'launched a drug war, not a trade war' with Mexico, Canada
Kevin Hassett, the Trump administration’s National Economic Council director, said the United States has not launched a trade war with Mexico and Canada but “a drug war.”
Hassett joined ABC News’s “This Week,” where he spoke about the evolving nature of President Trump’s tariffs on the neighboring countries.
“What happened was that we launched a drug war, not a trade war, and it was part of a negotiation to get Canada and Mexico to stop shipping fentanyl across our borders,” Hassett said.
Trump proposed the 25 percent tariff plan as a way to get the neighboring countries to step up and curb the flow of migrants and fentanyl across the shared borders. The tariffs were paused for a month after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to aid the border.
Hassett said the U.S. has seen that Mexico and Canada have made progress to stop fentanyl from coming into the country, which allowed for Trump to sign tariff exemptions for most imports from the two countries, delaying their implementation until April 2.
“As we’ve watched them make progress on the drug war, then we’ve relaxed some of the tariffs that we put on … them because they’re making progress,” Hassett said. “And so, that drug war is something that’s been going on since really the beginning of the Trump administration.”
Hassett later added that the administration hopes to have solved the drug war “by the end of the month.”
“Hopefully, that we’ll actually round up the people in the cartels and stop the flow of fentanyl that’s killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, and then we’ll be focused on the reciprocal thing,” he said of Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan.
As concerns about Trump’s tariff plan have begun to surface, the administration has sought to reframe the action. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick similarly called the tariffs a “drug war,” not a “trade war.”
Read more at The Hill
-
'We launched a drug war, not a trade war': NEC director
President Trump’s top economic aide Kevin Hassett was interviewed on "This Week."ABC News - 11h -
Can Mark Carney win an election in Canada and a trade war with the US?
The former central banker has strong economic credentials but is untested politicallyFinancial Times - 2h -
Canada to choose new leader to face Trump in trade war with US
Former central banker Mark Carney favoured over Chrystia Freeland to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal party headFinancial Times - 16h -
China returns fire in Trump’s trade war
Tariff salvo on US agricultural goods, Greenland goes to the polls and investors discover if buying Lego is still funFinancial Times - 7h -
‘I’m deeply disturbed’: My portfolio lost 20%. With Trump’s trade war, do I sell my stocks and buy gold?
“With the current state of domestic and global affairs, I’m at a loss as to how to keep my economic stability in check.”MarketWatch - 5h -
Trump's Canada, Mexico tariffs try to 'stop the bleeding' in US economy: UAW chief
President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico "are an attempt to stop the bleeding" in the U.S. economy, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said.ABC News - 2h -
Trump Suspends Mexico and Canada Tariffs on USMCA Goods for a Month
Many imports from Canada and Mexico will be exempt from tariffs, as the president quickly reversed a sweeping trade action taken just two days ago after market turmoil.The New York Times - 1d -
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv officials to meet Trump aides in Saudi Arabia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says ‘realistic proposals on the table’ in talks; Donald Trump hints US may be close to lifting intelligence pause. What we know on day 1,111. See all our Russia-Ukraine war ...The Guardian - 36m -
China preparing for a protracted trade war with U.S.
China announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products and targeted 25 American companies in response to the now 20% blanket tariffs President Trump placed on all Chinese goods. Anna ...CBS News - 8h -
Canadians show their displeasure with President Trump
President Trump took aim at dairy and lumber imports from Canada, but the U.S.'s northern neighbor is fighting back. Ed O'Keefe reports on the latest in the tumultuous trade war.CBS News - 1d -
Ontario's Premier Doug Ford moving ahead with tariffs on the U.S.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will start tariffs directed at the United States on Monday, unless President Trump's threat of a trade war with Canada comes to an end.CBS News - 1d -
The MAGA Culture War Comes for Georgetown Law
If our liberties can survive a world war, then they can and should survive the Trump administration.The New York Times - 15h -
Wall Street Journal: 'Someone should sue' Trump over tariffs
The Wall Street Journal editorial board took a swipe at President Trump's recent tariff threats, alleging the administration is using a 48-year-old law to start a trade war. In a recent op-ed, the ...The Hill - 1d -
Inside the frontlines of Russia as the war with Ukraine continues
NBC News' Keir Simmons gets a rare look inside the frontlines in Russia and talks with residents about the impact of the war with Ukraine as President Trump said he is “strongly considering” ...NBC News - 2d -
Trade tariffs are the new normal – and that’s unlikely to be positive for Australia | Sally Auld
US policy changes won’t have a large direct effect on the Australian economy but a global trade war can only be a drag on growth. Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news ...The Guardian - 1h -
Why Trump’s war on DEI is so diabolical
Trump and his allies have flaunted their support for far-right movements at home and abroad. We cannot allow them to succeed.The Hill - 13h -
Sweeping Tariffs Threaten to Undo a 30-Year Trade Alliance
The stiff tariffs President Trump briefly imposed on Mexico and Canada this week could have pushed those allies into recession. The impact for America would be messy.The New York Times - 3d -
Ukraine seeks to persuade US to resume aid in high-stakes talks
Zelenskyy in bid to persuade Trump he wants an end to war with Russia after freeze on military and intelligence aidFinancial Times - 6h -
China Hits Canada With Tariffs in Indirect Riposte to Trump
Beijing, which set steep duties on canola, peas and pork, wants Canada and Mexico to resist U.S. pressure to raise tariffs on Chinese goods.The New York Times - 1d -
Macy’s Signals Rocky Year Ahead as Retailers Reckon With Trade War
The largest department store chain in the United States, like many other retailers, has warned that shoppers may be more cautious in the months ahead.The New York Times - 3d -
Mark Carney to replace Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister
Former head of Canada and England central banks will try to ease trade tensions with Donald TrumpFinancial Times - 2h -
Trump’s Delay on Mexico and Canada Tariffs Came in Response to Market Revolt
With prices still high, the Trump administration is heeding the risks of fanning inflation with import duties.The New York Times - 2d -
Marco Rubio: one-time Russia hawk makes stunning U-turn under Trump
The secretary of state was once a prominent Ukraine supporter and called Putin a ‘war criminal’ – not any more. Marco Rubio , the US secretary of state, looked on as Donald Trump demanded more ...The Guardian - 1d -
How Trump's threats have revived Canada's Liberal Party
Justin Trudeau's party was headed for near-certain defeat - until the US president said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state.BBC News - 21h -
Trump continues tariff tumult amid economic uncertainty
President Trump told reporters there could be some economic disturbance amid tweaks to tariffs at the end of a tumultuous week in the markets. NBC News Correspondents Aaron Gilchrist, Brian Cheung ...NBC News - 2d -
China to impose retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian products as trade war heats up
China on Saturday announced retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods, hitting back after Ottawa slapped import duties on Chinese-made EVs.CNBC - 1d -
Trump’s Policies Have Shaken a Once-Solid Economic Outlook
Economic forecasts have deteriorated in recent weeks, reflecting the upheaval from federal layoffs, tariff moves and immigration roundups.The New York Times - 2d -
‘I hate to predict things’: Trump doesn’t rule out US recession amid trade tariffs
President downplays recent stock market volatility that followed his ducking and weaving over tariff policy. Donald Trump on Sunday refused to rule out the possibility that the US economy will head ...The Guardian - 6h -
Hundreds of Civilians Killed by Government Forces in Syria, War Monitors Say
More than 1,000 people have been killed in fighting between forces of the new government and remnants of the ousted regime, according to a war monitor, which said about 700 were civilians.The New York Times - 21h -
Syria's worst violence in months reopens wounds of the civil war
An ambush on a Syrian security patrol by gunmen loyal to ousted leader Bashar Assad escalated into clashes that a war monitor estimates have killed more than 1,000 people over four daysABC News - 9h -
Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy says Russia has carried out ‘hundreds of attacks’ against Ukraine this week
Ukrainian president calls for strengthened sanctions as he highlights weapons used against his country. Local officials from Russia ’s ruling party have caused controversy by presenting mothers of ...The Guardian - 10h -
A Syrian war monitor says the death toll rises to more than 600 in recent violence
A Syrian war monitor says the death toll rises to more than 600 in recent violenceABC News - 1d -
Top Trump advisers get involved as the fight to win his presidential library site heats up
The search for President Donald Trump’s post-administration presidential library site is intensifying in South Florida, with Trump's son Eric and a top Trump administration adviser, Steve Witkoff, ...NBC News - 1d -
Trump floats 250% tariff on dairy from Canada
Jerome Powell's remarks came as Trump threatened new tariffs on Canada.ABC News - 2d -
With most male actors at war, a small Ukrainian theater reinvents itself with an all-female cast
The Chernihiv Regional Youth Theater in Ukraine has adapted to the war by having women perform traditionally male roles, after many men left the troupe to fight on the front lineABC News - 1d -
Trump claims Putin will be more 'generous' in peace talks than 'difficult' Ukraine
Even though President Donald Trump threatened Russia with sanctions, he claimed President Vladamir Putin is more "generous" when it comes to ending the war.ABC News - 2d -
Hikma races to launch generic versions of blockbuster obesity drugs
Pharma group looks to take advantage as Wegovy and Ozempic start to go off patent next yearFinancial Times - 21h -
EU must brace for impact of Trump wrecking ball on global trading system | Heather Stewart
UK appears to be out of US eyeline for now but it would not be immune to slowdown triggered by rising tariffs. Forget the “Trump put”, as financial analysts called the bet that the US president’s ...The Guardian - 14h -
Trump allies launch a bid to take control of a powerful Washington legal group
Two Trump allies — including Attorney General Pam Bondi's brother — have launched bids for leadership roles with the D.C. Bar Association.NBC News - 2d
More from The Hill
-
Fox host asks Trump whether he is 'comfortable' that 'Ukraine may not survive'
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo pressed President Trump on whether he is “comfortable” with the idea that Ukraine “may not survive” the war with Russia. Trump sat down for an interview with Bartiromo ...The Hill - 1h -
Mark Carney to become Canada’s next prime minister after Liberal Party vote
Canada’s Liberal Party chose its next leader in Mark Carney, and he will soon replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to lead the country. The exact date for Carney, 59, to take office is uncertain, ...The Hill - 2h -
Protesters dispute Vance’s description of clash on street over Ukraine: 'No one was chasing him'
The protesters who confronted Vice President Vance disputed his version of what happened, claiming that “no one was chasing him.” Video shared with WCPO in Cincinnati from one of the protesters, ...The Hill - 3h -
Pro-Palestinian activists vandalize Trump golf course in Scotland over Gaza comments
Pro-Palestinian activists vandalized President Trump’s golf course in Scotland on Saturday to protest his administration’s policies in the Gaza Strip. In white, boldface capital letters, activists ...The Hill - 3h -
HHS sends employees a $25K voluntary buyout offer
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offered its 80,000 employees a $25,000 buyout offer as part of President Trump’s plan to scale back government spending. Workers can opt into the ...The Hill - 4h
More in Politics
-
Fox host asks Trump whether he is 'comfortable' that 'Ukraine may not survive'
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo pressed President Trump on whether he is “comfortable” with the idea that Ukraine “may not survive” the war with Russia. Trump sat down for an interview with Bartiromo ...The Hill - 1h -
Mark Carney to become Canada’s next prime minister after Liberal Party vote
Canada’s Liberal Party chose its next leader in Mark Carney, and he will soon replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to lead the country. The exact date for Carney, 59, to take office is uncertain, ...The Hill - 2h -
Congressional Republicans unveil spending plan to avert government shutdown
Congressional Republicans unveiled their plan for a spending bill to avert a government shutdown as the deadline approaches this Friday. NBC News’ Yamiche Alcindor reports.NBC News - 2h -
Secret Service shoots armed man in confrontation near White House
The U.S. Secret Service shot an adult male near the White House in Washington, D.C., shortly after midnight on Sunday after an “armed confrontation” with law enforcement, according to the agency. ...NBC News - 2h -
Protesters dispute Vance’s description of clash on street over Ukraine: 'No one was chasing him'
The protesters who confronted Vice President Vance disputed his version of what happened, claiming that “no one was chasing him.” Video shared with WCPO in Cincinnati from one of the protesters, ...The Hill - 3h