Trump’s choice for chief trade negotiator says tariff threat is about fentanyl

Jamieson Greer, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for United States trade representative, appears before the Senate Committee on Finance for his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rod Lamkey, Jr. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The man likely to be named the United States' chief trade negotiator argued Thursday that President Donald Trump’s tariff threat against Canada is about fentanyl trafficking.

Jamieson Greer, Trump’s choice for U.S. trade representative, told his Senate confirmation hearing that America doesn’t want to see another fentanyl death. Greer added it looks like Canada and Mexico have come to the table.

On Monday, Trump paused his executive order to impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy. He has linked the duties to what he calls the illegal flow of people and fentanyl across the borders.

Trump is delaying the levies until at least March 4 in response to border security commitments from both countries. He has said it will allow time to reach a “final economic deal.”

U.S. border patrol statistics show that less than one per cent of fentanyl seized is found at the northern border.

Experts have warned a trade war could harm the economies of both Canada and the U.S. and drive up inflation.

Nevada Democrat Sen. Cortez Masto said the looming threats against Canada may be affecting businesses in her state already.

Masto told Greer’s Senate hearing that a small business owner contacted her saying that a Canadian company had cancelled an order, citing market uncertainty.

Greer played a key role in the first Trump administration by imposing tariffs on China and negotiating the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.

Greer was the chief of staff to former U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer as the trilateral agreement was being crafted to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was terminated the last time Trump became president.

If confirmed, Greer will oversee the trade pact’s review in 2026.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Defence Minister Bill Blair are in the U.S. capital this week making the case that Canada should not be dragged into a trade war.

They’re meeting with senators and congresspeople, and were looking to hold meetings with newly appointed members of Trump’s team.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2025.