US Sen. Tim Kaine on Trump: Fentanyl at Canada’s Border “Was the Emergency He Came Up With”
In a candid interview, Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Kaine shared his insights on former President Donald Trump’s approach to border security and drug enforcement, particularly regarding the fentanyl crisis. Kaine, a seasoned member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reflected on the rhetoric and policies that characterized Trump’s tenure, emphasizing how the narrative around fentanyl became a focal point of discussion and concern.
Kaine articulated his belief that Trump’s emphasis on the fentanyl crisis was less about addressing the actual threat and more about presenting an urgent issue that could rally support for his administration’s broader agenda. “Fentanyl at Canada’s border was the emergency he came up with,” Kaine noted, suggesting that the framing of this issue was strategically chosen to fit into Trump’s narrative of securing the nation. The senator pointed out the complexities surrounding cross-border drug trafficking and how such challenges often require nuanced and cooperative international approaches rather than unilateral decisions or fear-driven rhetoric.
The senator also criticized the effectiveness of Trump’s tariff plan, which was touted as a way to generate revenue while discouraging illegal activities. Kaine argued that while the administration’s focus on tariffs gained publicity, it perhaps overshadowed more critical discussions about comprehensive drug policy and international collaboration to combat the opioid crisis effectively.
In this exclusive sit-down, Kaine’s reflections provide not only a critical view of Trump’s border policies but also highlight the ongoing dialogue within American politics about drug enforcement, public health, and the implications of framing issues in ways that may not align with the realities on the ground. As discussions around fentanyl and border security continue to evolve, Kaine’s insights underscore the importance of addressing the root causes of the crisis rather than merely reacting to its symptoms.
Watch the video by Global News
Video “US Sen. Tim Kaine on Trump: Fentanyl at Canada's border “was the emergency he came up with”” was uploaded on 05/25/2025 to Youtube Channel Global News
Ah yes let’s continuously bash a serving US President while we still want concessions from his administration. Such a wise, passive aggressive approach to diplomacy when Canada has limited leverage in that negotiation .
Like how the drugs never come from inner america or come in from american ports. They never mention their own production or coastal port import. Would like to see the compareison of those numbers too….but no, prideful americans hardly ever mention it.
The USA is using excuse after excuse on attacking Canada as well as the rest of the World! All you guys crossed the line – All you guys back whatever Trump states and all you show is how favor lies and corruption!
Anyone that believes this garbage needs to check out Sam Cooper. Canaduh's are so easily led.
Don Jr., I'm sure, does a LOT of trade with Columbia and Peru. Canada can't fix that.
Canada doesn't need to move quickly on anything…sometimes time solves all. We need to focus on building our economy.
Russia he says is a threat. Why this senator doesn't want to acknowledge who's kissing Putin's ring? Trump is an enabler for Putin…If you want Russia not to be a threat, instead of wasting money on a stupid "golden dome" you put Putin at his place. That's it.
Fact Check: Our previous PM tripled our defence investment and brought us closer to 2%, far more than the previous government.
The positive thing happening in canada at this time is that we believe none of the garbage coming from amerika. These senators are part of the garbage coming from the states.
We don't care what the US think of Canada. I know what i think of the US🇨🇦
A little chop in the warer, its a tidal wave! As a Canadian I appreciate the Senator's attempt to normanilze relations but lets deal with it honestly.
Canadian should move quickly to establish trusting relationship with Europe and Asia. Not so much with the US. In fact Canada should distance itself from an untrustworthy partner like the US
Move quickly on a deal? We already have a deal. We just want the US to follow it.
Months of insults/threats/disrespect not just by the president but USA media (and citizens) will not be easy to forgive or forget !! And it is NOT behind us!!
The 'old' relationship is OVER !!
Fentanyl is a problem the Americans need to deal with themselves rather than hanging the problem on other countries. YOU keep it out of the US; YOU deal with the AMERICAN demand for it. It was Trump who negotiated the trade agreement that should now be governing trade. Now he doesn't like it. There were healthy ways of dealing with that, but he chose not to. He just bullied, and bullied, and threatened our sovereignty. Not the way to do things. And the arrogance! Some of you suggesting we have no right to exist as a nation. Really. I no longer buy American goods. I won't be changing back. This wouldn't be happening without the arrogant bullying from the US. That was YOUR choice. Not a clever move.
Travel to the USA is not only caused by tariffs. Why doesn't Senator Kaine address the potential for detaining and imprisoning Canadians when they try to cross the border?
Does this Golden Dome stop USA from dropping missiles on Canada?
America never thanked us having our military …or apologized for the ones who died.
We Canadian understand all his ulterior motives regarding Canada
Get rid of ALL of the Trumps and JD and all the MAGA people in your government, then we can talk. Until then keep drinking your orange Kool Aid.
As a Canadian i get pissed every time a Canadian is shot down by illegal American guns in Canada… This is a problem trumpy
i want to know the grads from finland sweden and the denmark to courage ladder the opportunity ukraine isnt after the fishing but the gas in bin salamn maybe …
Condescending attude. You started this, we're not backing down.
"Chop in the water!" These guys have no idea what they're talking about. Canada was insulted, laid to and threatened to be annexed! We will never ever trust the US again. For Canada, the only way to win is not to play!
Even if they make some deals it doesn’t mean the citizens of Canada will start going there again. We’re slow to anger but we don’t forgive so easily once burned and your president threw us in the fire then p!ssed on us
CANZUK is becoming more and more appealing to me the more I read about the proposal.
Trump started this!!! We don’t need to cave to the US!!!
I'm totally soured on the U.S. I like some Americans who are decent people and are not in league with the horrendous behaviour of their govt. and fellow citizens supporting it BUT I no longer want as close and trusting a relationship with the U.S. anymore. I now have seen the awful behaviour and the ignorance and willingness to believe nonsense without even double-checking it…. the lack of decency and respect from them cannot be undone in my opinion, particularly without a public apology and admission of lying from the administration. No, I want to look forward and move away from so much U.S. partnership as they are no longer worthy of trust. We can still deal with them but I say we have to significantly decrease our partnership with them!
Why did they not mention that liberal government has ties to China, which is world's biggest fentanyl manufacturer?
There is more fentanyl coming to Canada than going from Canada to the US.
Only interested in what any of them have to say when they formally announce that we return to the existing legal trade agreement. Free trade as per the written and signed agreement. And since it was illegally broken on false Fentanyl claims, there should be compensation to Canada.
The problem is that they called it USMCA and not the Golden Trade Bill.
I am so so so tired for USA playing the victim card, especially when they are the source of most problems!
Kaine: "We have a new leader, you have a new leader", as if the two were alike.
The first guy seems like a reasonable person. Go home , educate your people on tariffs , the real fentanyl problem .
The second guy , not so much.
One correction , Donald Trump didn’t negotiate the USMCA trade deal. A series of negotiators from each country worked long hours for months to wade through NAFTA and highlight each country’s concerns and traded off items to achieve a working agreement. Trump doesn’t believe in Win-Win agreements. He doesn’t have the patience or patience intelect for something like this. He only wakes up when the roll the credits.
The fentanyl crisis is an American problem born out of demand. Fix your own problems and stop blaming other countries because YOU have a drug problem.
Some really obsolete thinking from this guy. Golden dome is probably what the MIC CEO call it. Its a boondoggle. Make a verifiable peace deal with Russia and China, stop poking the bear and the dragon.
No point to this interview. No power, no influence on anyone in the Whitehouse. FYI tariffs are not part of travel boycotting.
We should still talk, but reality is real. The USA poked us.
I’m not concerned about what Americans think about us. And there was no good will from trump during Carney’s visit. We all heard the “never say never “ crap.
US border doing a crap job.
We only had 43kilo in 1 year at the border. That's laughable.
Canadians want an apology from Trump.
Don't care about the US anymore. Canada 🇨🇦
but Canada's a 'national security ' in trumps words we're dangerous, threatening, cheaters, we're disagreeable, nasty people
I love these US Senators begging Canadians to come back to their states. Your President has threatened us with economic war, maybe even invasion. He has joked about it and we all know what that means. You Americans need to know WE AREN'T YOUR FRIENDS ANYMORE. Leave us alone. NEVER 51st.
No mention of the tons of cocaine entering Canada from the US.?
To Tim Kaine – Canada is not worried about you Americans think of us. We, however, do not think much of the USA.
Blah blah blah American bull shat.
The relationship will never be the same again. And that is good for Canada.