Connect with us

World

Trump Implements 25% Tariffs on Imports from Canada and Mexico, 10% on China to Address National Emergency

Published

on

President Donald Trump holds up the letter that former President Joe Biden left for him in the desk as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP)
Trump Implements 25% Tariffs on Imports from Canada and Mexico, 10% on China to Address National Emergency

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) – President Donald J. Trump has announced a bold new tariff policy, imposing additional tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing an ongoing national emergency caused by illegal immigration and the fentanyl epidemic.

Under the new order, the United States will implement:

  • A 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico
  • A 10% tariff on all imports from China
  • A reduced 10% tariff on energy resources from Canada

The move is part of a larger effort to hold these nations accountable for failing to stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the United States.

Addressing an Urgent National Crisis

The extraordinary threat posed by illegal immigration and drugs, particularly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). President Trump’s decisive action aims to curb the supply of deadly fentanyl, which has devastated American communities.

  • Chinese officials have failed to stop the flow of precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl, enabling criminal cartels.
  • Mexican drug cartels continue to manufacture and transport dangerous narcotics, while the Mexican government has turned a blind eye.
  • Canada has seen a rise in Mexican cartel-linked fentanyl production, contributing to the international drug trade.

The administration’s orders make it clear: the flow of contraband drugs like fentanyl into the United States is a national security threat and a public health emergency.

Leveraging U.S. Economic Strength for Security

President Trump is using America’s economic power to secure the border and combat the fentanyl crisis. Previous administrations failed to use economic leverage effectively, allowing problems to fester.

  • Access to the U.S. market is a privilege, not a right. The U.S. has one of the most open economies in the world, yet trade accounts for only 24% of U.S. GDP, compared to 67% of Canada’s, 73% of Mexico’s, and 37% of China’s.
  • The U.S. trade deficit in goods exceeded $1 trillion in 2023, the largest in the world.
  • Tariffs are a proven tool for protecting national interests and forcing compliance.

Despite years of inaction from previous leaders, President Trump is taking decisive action to put Americans’ safety and national security first.

President Trump Keeps His Promise to Secure the Border

President Trump was overwhelmingly elected to stop illegal immigration and secure the border—this is exactly what he is doing.

  • The Biden administration has fueled the worst border crisis in U.S. history, with over 10 million illegal aliens attempting entry since 2021.
  • A rising number of Chinese nationals and individuals on the terror watchlist have been apprehended at the border.
  • Northern border crossings from Canada have surged, worsening the crisis.

The influx of illegal immigrants is straining America’s resources, overwhelming schools, hospitals, and housing, while increasing crime.

  • Last fiscal year, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 21,000 pounds of fentanyl—enough to kill over 4 billion people.
  • Officials estimate only a fraction of fentanyl smuggled across the southern border is actually seized.
  • Fentanyl overdoses now kill more Americans annually than the entire Vietnam War.

Building on Past Success in Trade and Security

President Trump has a proven track record of using tariffs to protect American interests.

  • In 2019, Trump successfully pressured Mexico into border security cooperation by threatening tariffs.
  • He imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to protect U.S. industries.
  • Trump’s tariffs on China helped curb intellectual property theft and unfair trade practices.
  • Last week, he used tariffs to resolve national security concerns with Colombia.

President Trump remains committed to enforcing trade policies that prioritize American safety and prosperity. His new tariffs send a clear message: America will no longer tolerate inaction from Canada, Mexico, and China when it comes to illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

World

Ecuador Honors Marco Rubio With National Order of Merit Grand Cross

Published

on

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL.) presents his gun plan in 2018. Photo via ABC News.

President Daniel Noboa recognizes U.S. secretary of state during Quito visit focused on security, counternarcotics cooperation and stronger U.S.-Ecuador relations

QUITO, Ecuador (FNN) — Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa awarded U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the National Order of Merit in the degree of Grand Cross on Wednesday, recognizing Rubio’s role in strengthening relations between the United States and Ecuador.

The Sept. 9 ceremony took place at the Carondelet presidential palace in Quito during Rubio’s South American diplomatic tour. Official State Department photography confirms Noboa presented the decoration to Rubio during the ceremony.

The honor came as Rubio and Noboa emphasized deeper cooperation on regional security, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and economic prosperity.

ECUADOR RECOGNIZES RUBIO’S ROLE IN BILATERAL RELATIONS

An executive decree read during the ceremony cited Rubio’s “distinguished services” and commitment to strengthening ties between Ecuador and the United States.

The decree highlighted bilateral cooperation against transnational organized crime, narcotics trafficking and illicit financial networks.

Noboa praised Rubio’s diplomatic engagement in Latin America and said the relationship between the two countries extends beyond government-to-government cooperation.

Ecuadorian media also reported that the award recognized Rubio’s contributions to bilateral relations and cooperation on security.

RUBIO: U.S.-ECUADOR RELATIONS HAVE IMPROVED

Accepting the decoration, Rubio called it a “great honor” and emphasized what he described as significant improvements in relations between the two countries.

Rubio focused particularly on two priorities: security and prosperity.

He said governments must provide security to create conditions for economic opportunity and pledged continued cooperation from President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Quito meeting was Rubio’s third meeting with Noboa, according to Rubio’s remarks.

SECURITY COOPERATION TAKES CENTER STAGE

The ceremony came during a broader visit focused heavily on counternarcotics and security cooperation.

Rubio announced that the Trump administration would seek approximately $45 million from Congress for security assistance to Ecuador, along with an additional $10 million targeting illegal gold mining, gang recruitment and illicit finance, according to Reuters.

The United States also designated Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organization during Rubio’s visit.

Ecuador has become an increasingly important U.S. partner in regional counternarcotics operations under Noboa. The country has struggled with escalating violence involving criminal organizations competing over drug-trafficking routes and access to ports.

NOBOA PRAISES RUBIO’S LATIN AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT

Noboa used the ceremony to emphasize Rubio’s connection to Latin America and his work on regional security.

The Ecuadorian president said Rubio’s approach has helped strengthen relationships between the United States and countries throughout the region.

“We have achieved, working hand in hand with the United States, to provide more peace, health and also more liberties,” Noboa said through an interpreter, according to the ceremony transcript.

Noboa described the decoration as one of Ecuador’s highest honors. Independent reporting characterized the National Order of Merit in the Grand Cross degree as a major Ecuadorian national distinction awarded for extraordinary service.

RUBIO’S SOUTH AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC TOUR

Ecuador was part of a broader South American trip for Rubio.

He traveled to Ecuador after meeting Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, with security, counternarcotics cooperation and economic relations among the major subjects of the trip. Rubio was then scheduled to travel to Peru.

The Ecuador visit underscored the Trump administration’s effort to strengthen relationships with regional governments cooperating with Washington on narcotics trafficking, migration and security.

For Rubio and Noboa, the Grand Cross ceremony also provided a symbolic backdrop for an expanding bilateral relationship centered on security cooperation, combating organized crime and economic ties.

Continue Reading

US NATIONAL NEWS

U.S. Expands Sanctions Targeting Iran’s Financial Networks and Regime Financiers

Published

on

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The Trump administration announced a new round of sanctions Friday targeting individuals and businesses accused of helping finance Iran’s ruling elite and facilitating international financial transactions on behalf of the Iranian regime.

The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, target a global financial network that U.S. officials say supports Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior regime officials.

Global Financial Network Targeted

According to the administration, the sanctions focus on Ali Ansari, a Dubai-based Iranian national accused of managing an extensive network of real estate and commercial holdings across multiple countries on behalf of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, and other regime insiders.

U.S. officials said the network includes assets and business interests in:

  • Germany
  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • Cyprus
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Other international jurisdictions

The administration alleges the network has been used to help Iranian regime officials maintain access to international financial markets.

Currency Exchange Houses Sanctioned

The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on three Iran-based currency exchange firms and their associated leadership:

  • Mohammad Darbani and Partners
  • Lavasani and Partners
  • Mohsen Khandan and Partners

The sanctions also extend to the firms’ managing partners and affiliated front companies.

According to the administration, these entities allegedly enabled Iran to obtain foreign currency and conduct international financial transactions despite existing U.S. sanctions.

Administration Cites Maximum Pressure Campaign

The White House said the latest designations are part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to increase economic pressure on Iran.

Administration officials said they will continue targeting individuals, businesses and financial institutions—including foreign entities—that facilitate illicit Iranian commerce or assist the regime in evading U.S. sanctions.

The administration maintains that the sanctions are intended to pressure Iran to end what it describes as destabilizing activities in the region and to hold accountable those who enable corruption within the Iranian government.

Authorities Used for Sanctions

The sanctions were imposed under multiple executive authorities, including:

  • Executive Order 13902, targeting Iran’s financial and petroleum sectors.
  • Executive Order 13876, focusing on Iran’s Supreme Leader and affiliated individuals.
  • Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, which provides counterterrorism sanctions authority.

Treasury officials said the latest designations build upon previous actions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeting Iran’s shadow banking system and currency exchange networks.

Continue Reading

World

U.S., CARICOM IMPACS Sign Landmark Biometrics Data-Sharing Agreement to Strengthen Border Security

Published

on

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) signed a Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership (BDSP) Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Friday, establishing a new framework for sharing biometric information to strengthen border security and immigration screening.

The agreement was signed July 10 at the Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Washington, D.C.

Strengthening National and Regional Security

According to DHS, the agreement enhances U.S. national security by enabling biometric information sharing between the United States and CARICOM member states that operate Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs.

Officials said the partnership will improve the ability of both the United States and participating Caribbean nations to identify potential security threats before individuals enter the United States.

The agreement is also intended to help prevent individuals from exploiting Citizenship by Investment programs to evade immigration or law enforcement screening, addressing what officials described as a critical gap in Western Hemisphere security.

Supporting Immigration Integrity

The memorandum also reflects Caribbean governments’ commitment to strengthening immigration integrity and aligning border security practices with U.S. standards.

DHS said the partnership reinforces regional cooperation on identity verification, information sharing and security screening while supporting lawful travel and international security efforts.

Senior Officials Attend Signing Ceremony

The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives from:

  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • White House Homeland Security Council
  • U.S. Department of State
  • CARICOM IMPACS

Diplomatic representatives from the following Caribbean nations also participated:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

These countries currently operate Citizenship by Investment programs that provide foreign nationals a pathway to citizenship through qualifying investments.

Regional Security Cooperation Expands

The Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership represents one of the most significant security cooperation agreements between the United States and CARICOM member states in recent years.

Officials said the framework will strengthen information sharing, improve border security, support immigration integrity and enhance efforts to identify individuals who may pose security risks before they travel to the United States.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement Ticket Time Machine ad
Advertisement Orlando Regional REALTOR Association logo
Advertisement Parts Pass App
Advertisement Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando
Advertisement
Advertisement African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Advertisement FNN News en Español
Advertisement Indian American Chamber of Commerce logo
Advertisement Florida Sports Channel

FNN Newsletter

Trending