Before we dig in on the border crisis, we begin today’s issue by highlighting some of your opinions…

“Inflation hurts poor people on fixed incomes,” says Nick I., “like those who live on Social Security. It gets harder every day.”

As for our post-tariffs issue on Wednesday, David W. says: “Trump does not get credit for ‘averting a trade war’ that he started and then decided to back away from.”

Another contributor writes: “I must say, your article about COVID and supply-chain issues was the most balanced and accurate article you’ve written yet on U.S. inflation.

“COVID, supply-chain issues — and spending by the Trump and Biden administrations — caused inflation.”

Finally, we hear from Pete C.: “Last year, 43 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the Canadian border; 2,193 pounds were seized at the Mexican border.

“I can understand Trump’s complaints about Mexico, but Canada? Really? The leading trading partner of the middle and upper United States is Canada. Messing with Canada is beyond stupid.

“If I were Canada I would say: ‘We will stop the flow of fentanyl into the US if you stop the flow of guns into our country.’ Which is a vastly worse problem.”

Our reader’s comment provides a neat segue into today’s topic…

Your Rundown for Monday, February 10, 2025...

The Cost of the Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis continues to devastate the United States, with staggering new data revealing the epidemic cost the nation $2.7 trillion in 2023 alone.

This figure, detailed in a study by the Council of Economic Advisers and obtained by Fox News Digital, underscores the immense toll of opioid addiction, driven largely by fentanyl — a synthetic opioid primarily originating in China and smuggled into the U.S. through Mexico.

The study attributes this astronomical cost to several factors, including…

• $1.11 trillion from loss of life due to 74,702 opioid-related deaths in 2023
• $107 billion in healthcare expenses tied to addiction treatment.
• Additionally, $107 billion was lost due to reduced labor productivity
• While opioid-related crime added another $63 billion to the economic burden.

These figures dwarf even pessimistic estimates of economic losses from tariffs, highlighting the crisis’s unparalleled impact.

The study’s findings contrast with previous reports. For instance, a 2019 analysis estimated the opioid epidemic cost $2.5 trillion over four years (2015–2018). The 2023 figure reflects not only inflation adjustments but also a sharp rise in fatalities and addiction rates.

President Trump has long prioritized combating this epidemic, leveraging strategies like tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada to tighten border security and curb fentanyl trafficking.

But critics argue these tariffs could raise costs for American consumers. Trump’s administration, however, maintains that saving American lives far outweighs such concerns. Trump's actions aim to address what his administration calls an “extraordinary threat” to American society.

While critics focus on potential economic downsides of Trump’s tariffs, the study makes clear that failing to act against this crisis is far costlier — both financially and in human lives.

The question remains: As America grapples with these dual challenges — rising inflation exacerbated by tariffs and the devastation of fentanyl — can policymakers balance the economic pressures on households with the urgent need to curb a crisis that’s tearing apart communities and costing trillions?

Market Rundown for Monday, Feb. 10, 2025

S&P 500 futures are up 0.55% to 6,080.

Oil is up 1.25% to $71.90 for a barrel of WTI.

Gold is up 1.40% to $2,927.60 per ounce.

And Bitcoin is up 2% to $98,295.