Staff Reports
Canada appears to have realized that contrarianism is a losing game against the triumphant force of Donald Trump. After an enlightening conversation with the former president, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an announcement that could be described as a full-on pivot. Canada will now step up border enforcement and tackle the illegal drug trade with renewed vigor—effectively crumbling under the weight of Trump’s persistent pressure.
In a recent post to X, Trudeau highlighted Canada’s impressive new $1.3 billion border security plan, featuring state-of-the-art helicopter surveillance, enhanced technology, and a significant boost in personnel dedicated to controlling the influx of fentanyl and other nefarious substances. Nearly 10,000 frontline agents will now be on the job, turning the Canadian border into what could look like a scene out of a military movie—complete with “24/7 eyes” trained on anyone attempting to bring chaos across the line.
I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly…
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 3, 2025
Furthermore, Canada has decided to appoint a Fentanyl Czar—what a title! This new position aligns perfectly with their decision to officially identify drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Coupled with the formation of a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force dedicated to combating organized crime, the message is clear: Trudeau is putting his foot down, but only after Trump gave him a friendly nudge. It seems the Canadian leader is now fully onboard the “tough on drugs” train that has become a hallmark of American conservatism.
But what’s a good day for border security without a little diplomatic action from south of the border? In a parallel development, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also acknowledged Trump’s influence, announcing a commitment to deploy troops to Mexico’s northern border to tackle the fentanyl crisis. In return, the Biden administration agreed to hold off on implementing higher tariffs for a month. This exchange demonstrates that Trump’s earlier policies still possess a powerful resonance, even months after he returned to office.
Even Denmark is getting in on the action! Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has expressed interest in strengthening the U.S. military presence in Greenland—a move that could reinforce Trump’s national security initiatives. It’s almost comical how the discussion has shifted gears from outright rejection of Trump’s ideas to a strategic alignment with them. One cannot help but imagine that Trump is somewhere smugly enjoying his multiple wins on the international stage, all while critics scramble to explain how they underestimated him yet again.
One thing is abundantly clear: world leaders are recognizing that dealing with the American president—especially one as dominating as Trump—is an exercise in pragmatism. As countries from Canada to Mexico to Denmark adjust their strategies in response to Trump’s leadership, it might be worth asking just how much winning is left in store. In just a couple of weeks, the gains seem endless, leaving many to wonder what else the master negotiator has up his sleeve.
