Following a tariff threat from President-elect Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Florida for a meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. The meeting, confirmed by an anonymous source who spoke to the Associated Press, reportedly included a dinner between the two leaders. Trudeau was joined by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, marking the first visit from a G7 leader to Trump since the election.
Trump's threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports stem from concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the U.S. border. Trudeau addressed the tariff issue before his departure, emphasizing his commitment to finding solutions through constructive dialogue with Trump. He highlighted the potential impact on consumers, noting the irony of Trump's campaign promise to lower grocery prices while simultaneously proposing tariffs that would increase them.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in West Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Trump's initial announcement indicated his intention to implement these tariffs on his first day in office, citing concerns about a caravan approaching the U.S. border from Mexico. He also stated he had spoken with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who reportedly agreed to halt migration through Mexico to the United States. This follows Sheinbaum's earlier warning of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a meeting in London. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)
This isn't the first time Trump has pressured Canada and Mexico on border security and drug control. Canadian officials reiterated their commitment to border security, highlighting the significant trade relationship between the two countries and Canada's role as a major supplier of resources to the U.S. They emphasized the mutually beneficial nature of the current trade agreement, particularly for American workers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking at an event in Prince Edward Island. (Ron Ward /The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada supplies a large percentage of U.S. crude oil and electricity imports, in addition to being a key source of steel, aluminum, uranium, and critical minerals. A Canadian official suggested the possibility of retaliatory tariffs if Trump enacts his proposed measures. Previous tariff disputes, such as those in 2018 over steel and aluminum, have resulted in retaliatory measures from Canada.
