US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed several key issues on Tuesday, including the tariffs imposed on China and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US.
Regarding the tariffs on China, Leavitt explained that President Trump’s decision to impose a 10% tariff was a direct response to China’s role in the distribution of fentanyl into the United States. She stated, “The President made it very clear with the 10% tariff on China that he is not going to allow China to continue to source and distribute deadly fentanyl into our country. That was the reason for this tariff. It was a retaliatory tariff on China for the last four years of their unprecedented distribution of fentanyl to our nation’s border.”
Leavitt also addressed questions about a potential phone call between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. “I don’t have any updates on when that call will take place,” she said, adding that the call was being scheduled and would “happen very soon.”
On the subject of Canada’s efforts to combat fentanyl, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined measures in the country’s “Canada’s Border Plan.” The plan includes deploying more frontline personnel to the border, launching a precursor chemical detection unit, and establishing a new drug profiling center. This announcement came a day after President Trump revealed that Canada would implement a $1.3 billion border plan to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US. In return, Trump announced that he would pause tariffs on Canadian goods for 30 days after the plan’s implementation.
Leavitt also discussed Netanyahu’s visit to the US, calling it significant. “The fact that this is the first working visit from a foreign leader here at the White House shows that President Trump will continue to stand strongly with Israel,” she said. “He has wholeheartedly committed to ensuring all of the hostages return home and standing with our Israeli allies.”
Ahead of his visit, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office shared a statement from Netanyahu, where he highlighted the critical issues to be discussed during the meeting, including defeating Hamas, securing the release of hostages, and addressing the Iranian terror axis, which he said threatens not just Israel, but the entire world. “The decisions we made in the war have already changed the face of the Middle East. Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further and for the better,” Netanyahu’s statement concluded.