Trump has blamed Canada for a “massive” flow of fentanyl into the U.S., but federal data shows that Canada contributes less than 1%.
WASHINGTON – INTERNATIONAL NEWS — U.S. President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly justified steep tariffs on Canadian goods by claiming the country allows massive amounts of fentanyl to flow across the northern border into the United States.
Federal reports and analysis from Canadian and American authorities strongly contradict this assertion.
Fact Checking President Trump
While it likely will not matter to President Donald Trump what the actual facts are, as Trump rarely lets the truth lead in his arguments, lets look at the facts:
Who Really Supplies Fentanyl to the U.S.?
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Per the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the vast majority of fentanyl entering the United States is produced in Mexico, often using precursor chemicals sourced from China .
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Meanwhile, between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, only 59 pounds of fentanyl were seized along the Canada–U.S. border—compared to 61,900 pounds on the southern border, or less than 0.1% of total U.S. seizures according to Canada.ca.
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A Congressional Research Service report states that roughly 98% of fentanyl entering the U.S. comes via Mexico, while just about 1% is linked to Canadian sources.
Evaluating Trump’s Claims
Trump has repeatedly painted Canada as a major source of illicit fentanyl flowing into the U.S., tying these allegations to new tariffs on Canadian goods. Yet experts and policy analysts warn that this rhetoric is inconsistent with the data.
A Washington Post fact-check of Trump’s 2025 Congressional address found his fentanyl statistics exaggerated and his assertions lacking in credible evidence .
Canada’s Actual Role and Response
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Canadian government officials point out that the country’s contribution to U.S. fentanyl imports is negligible. Prime Minister Mark Carney described Trump’s claims as misleading and emphasized Canada’s strengthened enforcement and border security efforts .
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Canada has appointed a national Fentanyl Czar, tasked with reducing domestic production (especially in British Columbia), collaborating with U.S. agencies, and curbing organized crime.
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Experts argue that Canada’s crisis is primarily domestic; U.S. assertions overstate Canada’s role in the U.S. fentanyl epidemic.
Bottom Line Comparison
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Trump: Canada is a major fentanyl source | Data: <1% of U.S. fentanyl seizures occur at the northern border |
| Trump: Tariffs needed to curb fentanyl inflow | Reality: Most fentanyl enters via Mexico, not Canada |
| Canada uncooperative | Reality: Canada is increasing enforcement and cross-border collaboration |
Trump’s narrative that Canada poses a major fentanyl threat is not supported by seizure data or drug enforcement reports. The primary focus of trafficking remains Mexico and China, driving the U.S. opioid crisis. Canada has been working with U.S. agencies to reduce trafficking risk, though its domestic overdose crisis persists.
While the administration uses fentanyl concerns to justify tariffs and economic pressure, observers warn these moves may strain U.S.–Canada relations unnecessarily and ignore where the actual fentanyl threat lies.
Conclusion: Trump’s claims about “massive amounts” of fentanyl crossing from Canada into the U.S. are substantially overstated. Verified data shows Canada’s share is minimal—less than 1%—while nearly all fentanyl comes through the southern border from Mexico.
