U.S. Intelligence Report Highlights Mexico as Key Source of Fentanyl, Dismisses Canadian Threat

The Annual Threat Assessment identifies Mexico-based cartels as the primary suppliers of illicit fentanyl to the U.S., challenging the Trump administration's claims about Canadian fentanyl trafficking.

• The Annual Threat Assessment (ATA), presented by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, identifies Mexico as the primary source of illicit fentanyl entering the U.S., with precursor chemicals sourced mainly from China and India.
• The report does not list Canada as a significant source of fentanyl, contradicting the Trump administration's claims that Canadian fentanyl trafficking poses a major threat.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows that fentanyl seizures at the northern border accounted for less than one percent of total fentanyl seized in 2024, undermining claims used to justify tariffs on Canadian exports.
• The ATA also highlights broader cartel activities, such as human trafficking and smuggling, which strained U.S. resources with over two million illegal immigrant encounters at the southwest border in 2024.
• Geopolitical threats from state actors like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea were also emphasized as significant challenges to U.S. security and economic interests.

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