A study by the Council of Economic Advisers revealed that the opioid crisis cost the U.S. $2.7 trillion in 2023. President Trump is using tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China to combat the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. The study highlighted the economic impact of opioid-related loss of life, loss of quality of life, loss of labor force productivity, crime, and healthcare costs.
Key Points
Opioid epidemic cost the U.S. $2.7 trillion in 2023
Loss of life, quality of life, labor productivity, crime, and healthcare costs are major components of the economic impact
President Trump is leveraging tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China to combat the flow of fentanyl
Pros
Highlighting the significant economic cost of the opioid crisis in the U.S.
Efforts by President Trump to address the flow of fentanyl into the country through tariffs.
Cons
Critics argue that tariffs may lead to higher costs for American consumers.
The study did not include the cost of reduced quality of life in the 2019 report.