A fiery exchange unfolded on CNN Tuesday night as panelists debated the implications of President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Mexico and China, aimed at curbing illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Scott Jennings, a former advisor in the George W. Bush administration, argued that Trump’s tariff threats were a necessary negotiation tactic to compel Mexico to address these issues.
“It’s coming right over the southern border. They’re a terrible neighbor. They have been a terrible neighbor. And Donald Trump needs to get their attention,” Jennings asserted, adding that the issue extends beyond economics to national security. “It’s poison that is killing American people all over this country,” he said, referencing the influx of fentanyl and other drugs.
Catherine Rampell, an economics columnist, countered Jennings by highlighting bipartisan efforts to address the crisis, such as legislation to improve fentanyl detection at the border. She pointed out that Trump had blocked such measures. “That was the bipartisan border bill that Trump basically unilaterally killed,” Rampell said. Jennings dismissed her critique, accusing her of clinging to outdated political fights. “You keep fighting these old battles.
And you’re not over it,” he retorted. “Donald Trump won and he wants the border secured.” The discussion grew more heated as Rampell argued that border crossings had declined in the past year, a point Jennings vehemently rejected. “It’s a crisis. If you want to argue that it’s safe and secure, that’s crazy! They’ve got to act,” he insisted, emphasizing Mexico’s responsibility in the issue.
Tensions escalated further when Jennings reacted strongly to the notion that the U.S. demand for drugs contributes to the problem. “I’m sorry,” Jennings said, his voice rising. “I’ve heard this all day long. ‘Oh, there’s a demand for it,’ like we’re talking about candy bars. This is a literal poison that will kill you almost instantly. We talk about it like it’s some piece of candy.” The discussion underscored the urgency and divisiveness of addressing fentanyl trafficking.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and has driven a surge in overdose deaths. In 2022 alone, more than 73,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdoses, a stark increase from previous years. The heated exchange reflected the broader debate over Trump’s proposed tariffs, with strong opinions on both sides about their potential effectiveness in addressing the dual crises of drug trafficking and border security.