Tariffs and Fentanyl??

[mikemorvan]

So, i generally avoid the PACE Forum. Too much angst for me, not that i don't care or have opinions about the issues discussed. But I have a question I can't shake. So here we go:

One thing i remember from my economics classes is: "supply and demand". In a capitalist economy, supply and demand should be in a good relationship to each other. You don't want too much supply, too little demand, etc. So, i don't really understand how increased tariffs will reduce the supply of fentanyl into the USA. But, let's assume the tariffs work and the supply of fentanyl is reduced. What is being done to reduce the demand? I believe in a capitalist economy, if there is a demand, there will be suppliers to fill that demand. So, what happens if the supply is shut off? Genuinely curious.

I don't understand enough about the economics so i probably won't engage in 'debate'. I just don't understand and hope some folks can help make it all make sense...

[mikemorvan]

Well shoot, i meant to put this in the PACE forum. I couldn't even do that right. Jeez. Maybe a moderator can move it over. My apologies.

[bboswell]

Tariffs were used as incentives for Canada & Mexico to fight the flow of fentanyl across thier borders into the US

[tx_basser]

yes, this is concerning for me also, as I'm not sure how tariffs will reduce drugs coming across the border. We control the border, so in my simple mind we should be able to stop the drugs the same way we shut down the illegals. Shut all traffic down to a crawl and look at everything with a fine tooth comb.

[Greenheadless]

Tariffs were used as incentives for Canada & Mexico to fight the flow of fentanyl across thier borders into the US

Yup

[bboswell]

yes, this is concerning for me also, as I'm not sure how tariffs will reduce drugs coming across the border. We control the border, so in my simple mind we should be able to stop the drugs the same way we shut down the illegals. Shut all traffic down to a crawl and look at everything with a fine tooth comb.

But if they are active at trying to shut it down on their side as we are on this side then less overall gets through

[Drycreek3189]

The tariffs supposedly will put pressure on the countries that are letting the fentanyl get to our borders, so that we don’t have to catch the smugglers on our side. It might work in Canada, but the Mexican government is so corrupt IMO, that it will never work there in any meaningful way.

[dosrobles]

China is the root cause of the problem as the precursor chemicals come from there. Let’s quit picking fights with our ally’s and hammer China until they disrupt the supply of raw materials.

[Quackerbox]

Narcotics have been coming across the border for decades. Sweet little Nancy Regan couldnt slow it, tariffs wont either. What the border doesnt have is an unliimted supply of people trying to smuggle the stuff over for pennies on the dollar.

That said a guy (yes the only one) is assigned to fent related deaths. This time last year he was averaging 3-4 cases A WEEK. Now its 1 case about every two weeks. However, the supply hasnt slowed. I dont think its gotten safer. I think addicts learned how not to die so easy

[tx_basser]

But if they are active at trying to shut it down on their side as we are on this side then less overall gets through

Yes, agree. Not sure tariffs will do what is needed. You want to get results start taxing remittances.

[Gerald G]

Tariffs were used as incentives for Canada & Mexico to fight the flow of fentanyl and illegals across thier borders into the US

Added a little more to your post.

[Kingfisher789]

It’s why they call it dope…….

[Kingfisher789]

Narcotics have been coming across the border for decades. Sweet little Nancy Regan couldnt slow it, tariffs wont either. What the border doesnt have is an unliimted supply of people trying to smuggle the stuff over for pennies on the dollar.

That said a guy (yes the only one) is assigned to fent related deaths. This time last year he was averaging 3-4 cases A WEEK. Now it’s 1 case about every two weeks. However, the supply hasnt slowed. I dont think it’s gotten safer. I think addicts learned how not to die so easy

I think they bum rushed a bunch when it was easy and free….

[Texas Grown]

Well shoot, i meant to put this in the PACE forum. I couldn't even do that right. Jeez. Maybe a moderator can move it over. My apologies.

Mike, look at the bottom of your post. There is a little "Flag" between the "Like" and the "Quote" button in the bottom right corner. Press the flag button and a window will open giving instructions allowing you to write the problem with the post. Then press send. A Mod will receive the "Flagged" message about the post. Sometimes it takes a day or three.

[mikemorvan]

Mike, look at the bottom of your post. There is a little "Flag" between the "Like" and the "Quote" button in the bottom right corner. Press the flag button and a window will open giving instructions allowing you to write the problem with the post. Then press send. A Mod will receive the "Flagged" message about the post. Sometimes it takes a day or three.

Got it