Days before tariffs that have the potential to cripple Canada's economy are expected to come into effect, Canadian politicians are pushing the message that the country is cracking down on one of U.S.

President Donald Trump's commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick said at his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday (January 29) that Canada and Mexico can avoid looming tariffs if they act swiftly stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.

Secretary of Commerce-designate Howard Lutnick told a Senate committee that the threat of imposing a 25% tariff was to get Canada and Mexico to “respect” the United States and stop the flow of fentanyl into the country.