Sanctioning the supply chain: Analyzing US executive orders on tariffs as a tool against the fentanyl crisis

This commentary examines the use of trade tariffs embedded in U.S. executive orders issued during the Trump administration as a strategy to address the fentanyl crisis. The key issue is whether it will be effective to curb the opioid epidemic or would rather mean more of the same. By combining quantitative classification of executive orders with exploratory discourse analysis, the article demonstrates that fentanyl is predominantly framed as a problem of trade, border security, and economic coercion rather than as a public health challenge. Our findings indicate a strong overlap between fentanyl-related orders and tariff measures, revealing a policy logic that prioritizes supply-side control through international economic pressure. The paper argues that this approach reflects a continuity of the U.S. war on drugs under a new trade-centered rhetoric, raising concerns about its effectiveness and potential risks for health systems, medical supply chains, and evidence-based public health responses.