What is a ‘fentanyl czar’ and what powers could they have? – National

The trade war between Canada and the United States is on pause after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed Monday to new measures addressing President Donald Trump’s concerns over fentanyl trafficking across the border, including the appointment of a “fentanyl czar.”

The Canadian government moved swiftly to speak about the promise on Tuesday.

“What is our objective today? Stop the tariffs. We are going to do what we have to do in order to strengthen this border…because there is so much on the line for everyday Canadians,” Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said at the Emerson, Man., border on Tuesday.

“The prime minister signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl that will be backed by a $200 million investment. We are going to be appointing our first fentanyl czar— the words are chosen carefully—who will serve as the main interlocutor between the Canadian and U.S. governments and enhance our collaboration in combating fentanyl.”

2:21
Trump tariffs: US president says fentanyl coming through Canada is ‘massive’

Trump has previously pointed to the flow of illegal fentanyl into the U.S. as a primary reason for imposing broad tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

However, Trudeau and McGuinty have said less than one per cent of fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Canada.

When Trump announced tariffs on Canada on Saturday and Canada hit back with $155 billion in retaliatory measures, tensions escalated, with the threat of a full-blown trade war looming in the background.

But a Monday afternoon phone call between Trump and Trudeau appeared to ease tensions for now.

In a statement about the discussion, Trudeau said he agreed to new border security measures, leading to a 30-day pause on tariffs.

“Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering,” Trudeau said in a social media post.

The concept of a “border czar” in Canada has been raised before.

Get weekly health…