How China is Fueling the Chaos on the Northern Border
China is the leading supplier of the chemical ingredients used to make fentanyl, a highly addictive and lethal drug that killed almost 48,000 Americans in 2024 alone. That fact has been well documented for years. Policymakers in Washington and Americans might be surprised, however, to learn that most of the illegal and illicit products coming into America flow through Canada and Mexico on their way here.
Illicit drugs coming from the northern border in particular have been on the rise. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics, the number of drug seizures at the northern border increased from 5,300 in 2023 to 9,300 in the first eight months of 2026. That amounts to a 77% increase in the seizure of drugs from Canada in less than four years. And it is not just fentanyl. The United States government is fighting a daily onslaught of illicit drugs and dangerous products pouring into our country from our closest neighbors.
White House Identified America’s Neighbors as the Source of Chinese Drugs
Last week President Trump issued a presidential determination identifying 23 foreign nations as either major drug transit or producing countries.
This action by the President directed drug producing countries to stop illicit chemical and drug production.
In an unprecedented step, the President also recognized the role that Canada and Mexico play as sites where illicit drugs are often produced.
The President singled out Canada and Mexico as countries allowing illegal chemicals, synthetic drugs, and fentanyl through our borders.
Canada and Mexico were also cited for not taking appropriate action to stop illicit substances from crossing into the U.S. from our neighbors.
China Is Funneling Chemicals and Drugs through Canada and Mexico
Once again, China was among the 23 nations listed by the President because it remains the main supplier of the chemicals used to make fentanyl.
After China outlawed fentanyl in 2019, Chinese drug dealers shifted their strategy away from importing finished products to chemical precursors.
Canada and Mexico have become the staging and processing area for the production and transit of fentanyl and other substances across the U.S. border.
Precursors are sent to Canada and Mexico, where illicit products are made and trafficked.
While the southern border is more secure than ever, President Trump made it clear that we cannot ignore drugs and dangerous products coming from Canada.
While my Administration has successfully secured our borders from invasion, Canada and Mexico need to do far more to stop the flows of deadly drugs into our country. Fentanyl continues to be illicitly produced in clandestine Canadian labs, and precursor chemicals and synthetic drugs continue to enter the United States through Canada. Canada needs to take meaningful action to dismantle drug labs, strengthen supply chain security, and degrade criminal networks and Chinese gangs operating along our northern border.
– President Donald J. Trump
Illicit Drug Trafficking from Canada Rapidly Growing in Scale
Trafficking of drugs and illicit products on the northern border is rising rapidly.
In 2026, drug seizures on the Canadian border surpassed the number of drug seizures on the southwest border for the first time on record.
There were 4,064 more drug seizures on the Canadian border in the first eight months of 2026 than all of 2023.
In under four years, illicit drug seizures at the Canadian border increased 77%.
Fentanyl is Not the Only Illicit Contraband Pouring Across the Canadian Border
The scope of illicit drugs and dangerous contraband from Canada is widening as more varieties of drugs and dangerous products move across the border.
Smuggling contraband tobacco and cigarettes across the U.S.-Canada border is a multi-million dollar business operating extensively within Canada.
Unregulated and illegal vape products and chemicals from Canada and China are flowing into the U.S. from the north.
Legalized Canadian cannabis is being smuggled into the U.S. where it is federally prohibited and into states where cannabis is illegal.
Illegal and often homemade cannabidiol products like CBD oil.
South American-made cocaine is coming to the U.S. through Canada.
The diversity and volume of illicit drugs coming from Canada indicates the existence of sophisticated drug rings that are expanding around the border.
Time to Stop Our Neighbors From Trafficking Illicit Drugs and Chemicals
President Trump should use ongoing trade and tariff negotiations as leverage. Tell Canada and Mexico that any trade deal must include a commitment to stop illicit and dangerous products from entering America.
Develop homeland security policies and training that focus on stopping all illicit drugs, tobacco, chemicals, vape, synthetics, or controlled substances from Canada and Mexico.
Invest more federal resources to stop all illicit products at border crossings.
Conclusion
Our nation has scored major national security victories at the southern border under the current Administration. We cannot take a step back by ignoring Canada, a country with whom we share the longest border in the world. The fact is that Canada is now a stop for drugs from around the world on their way to American streets. President Trump has taken an important first step by acknowledging Canada’s acquiescence to the trafficking of illicit drugs. More must be done in order to safeguard our national security and save tens of thousands of American lives.