Canada increases border security budget after Trump's tariff threat

The Canadian government has proposed $1.3 billion CAD ($913.05 million) for border security after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Ottawa.

The border security spending is a small part of Canada’s fall economic report, released on December 16. Recently, US President-elect Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico unless those countries stop the flow of migrants and illegal drugs at the border into Washington.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Liberal Party conference in Ottawa on December 16, 2024

"The money will be transferred to Public Safety Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Communications Security Establishment and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police," Canada's statement said, according to Reuters.

The Canadian government plans to introduce legislative changes to the Customs Act to give the Canada Border Services Agency new powers to inspect exported goods, the statement said. Ottawa has previously acknowledged its limitations in stopping migrants, while also pledging to deploy more police and technology to target border crossers.

Over the past 12 months, the US Border Patrol has apprehended more than 23,000 migrants near the Canada-US border, double the number from the previous year. Canadian police say they have installed more cameras and sensors in the border area over the past four years.

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In another development, Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on December 16 after disagreeing with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on issues related to how to handle possible US tariffs.

Ms Freeland said the threat of new US tariffs was a serious danger. According to Reuters, citing her resignation letter, Ms Freeland dismissed Prime Minister Trudeau's spending increase as a "political stunt" that could damage Ottawa's ability to deal with the 25% import tariffs that US President-elect Trump has vowed to impose.

Reuters said the resignation of Ms. Freeland - who was Canada's deputy prime minister - was one of the biggest crises Mr. Trudeau has faced since taking office in November 2015. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc - a member of Mr. Trudeau's close team - was quickly appointed as finance minister.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/canada-tang-ngan-sach-an-ninh-bien-gioi-sau-loi-doa-tang-thue-cua-ong-trump-185241217072253688.htm