While the announcement is almost certainly bluster to bring attention to illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling, there are several reasons why it is so risky.

The president-elect said that he would impose the across-the-board tariffs on Day 1 and that they would stay in place until Canada, Mexico and China halted the flow of drugs and migrants.

President-elect Donald Trump promised to impose a 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico and Canada on his first day in office. Imports from Mexico and Canada totaled $900 billion in 2023. Trump has proposed tariffs as a solution to government funding.