Trudeau Meets Trump Amid Tariff Uncertainties
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Florida on Friday for a dinner meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. This visit comes in light of Trump’s recent threats to impose significant tariffs on Canadian imports, raising considerable alarm in Canada.
Trump’s warnings about tariffs target both Canada and Mexico, linked to his concerns over what he perceives as a surge in drugs and migrants crossing into the U.S. He has suggested a hefty 25% tax on all imports from these countries as part of his proposed executive actions once he assumes office.
A source familiar with the dinner described the conversation as “positive and far-reaching,” lasting about three hours. Discussion topics included trade, border security, the fentanyl epidemic, defense issues, the situation in Ukraine, NATO, China’s influence, pipeline concerns, and preparations for the upcoming G7 summit in Canada next year.
Despite previously critical remarks from Trump, who has referred to Trudeau as “weak” and “dishonest” during his prior presidency, the relationship between the two countries remains one of the closest globally. Trudeau’s visit marks him as the first G7 leader to meet with Trump since the November 5 election.
Joining Trump and Trudeau for dinner were several notable individuals, including Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who is proposed to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick for national security adviser, along with their spouses.
Also in attendance were newly elected U.S. Senator David McCormick from Pennsylvania and his wife, Dina Powell, a former deputy national security adviser under Trump. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who oversees border security, and Katie Telford, Trudeau’s chief of staff, were also present.
McCormick shared a photo on X featuring the group gathered around a round table on the patio at Mar-a-Lago, with a child playfully posing for the camera in the background.
The Trump transition team did not respond to inquiries about the dinner discussions or whether they alleviated Trump’s concerns about border security.
After returning to his hotel in West Palm Beach, a cheerful Trudeau chose not to disclose details about the dinner.
Prior to the meeting, Trudeau expressed hope that open dialogue with Trump could resolve the tariff issues. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also conveyed confidence that a tariff dispute with the U.S. could be averted after her own discussion with Trump.
“We will work together to address the concerns,” Trudeau told reporters in Prince Edward Island, Canada. “Ultimately, having constructive discussions with President Trump is essential for making progress for all Canadians.”
Trudeau pointed out that while Trump campaigned on reducing grocery prices, he is now considering a 25% tax on various products, including potatoes from Prince Edward Island.
“It’s important to understand that when Trump makes such declarations, he intends to act on them. There is no doubt about that,” Trudeau noted.
He further added, “Our responsibility is to demonstrate that such actions would not only harm Canadians—who have strong ties to the U.S.—but would also lead to higher prices for American consumers and negatively affect American businesses.”
The proposed tariffs could jeopardize the North American trade agreement that was negotiated during Trump’s first term. Trudeau emphasized that they successfully updated the agreement, which he believes serves the interests of both nations.
“We can continue to collaborate as we have in the past,” Trudeau affirmed.
Trump’s initial tariff threats coincided with his complaints about illegal immigration, even though the number of such incidents at the Canadian border is considerably lower than at the southern border.
In October alone, U.S. Border Patrol recorded 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border, compared to only 23,721 arrests at the Canadian border from October 2023 to September 2024.
Moreover, Trump has raised concerns about fentanyl trafficking from both Mexico and Canada, despite the minuscule amounts seized from the Canadian border compared to those from Mexico. Last fiscal year, U.S. customs agents confiscated just 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border, starkly contrasting with the 21,100 pounds seized at the southern border.
Canadian officials contend that it is unfair to conflate Canada with Mexico in these discussions but have expressed a willingness to invest in enhanced border security measures.
Trudeau reached out to Trump following the latter’s controversial social media posts regarding border issues.
During Trump’s first term, his imposition of higher tariffs led to retaliatory actions from other nations. For instance, Canada responded in 2018 with billions in new tariffs against U.S. goods in retaliation for taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum.
This week, a senior official revealed to The Associated Press that Canada is already considering potential retaliatory tariffs on select U.S. products if Trump follows through with his tariff threats against Canadian goods.
A government spokesperson indicated that Canada is preparing for all possible scenarios and is assessing which items could be targeted for retaliatory tariffs, although no final decisions have been reached. The source spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.
Canada is a vital trading partner for 36 U.S. states, with nearly $3.6 billion (CAD) worth of goods and services crossing the border daily.
Approximately 60% of U.S. crude oil imports and 85% of U.S. electricity imports come from Canada.
Additionally, Canada is the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum, and uranium to the U.S., holding 34 critical minerals and metals essential to U.S. national security interests.
As one of the most trade-dependent countries globally, a remarkable 77% of Canada’s exports are directed to the U.S.
“Canada has legitimate reasons to feel concerned, as Trump is known for being impulsive and often influenced by the latest commentary on Fox News,” noted Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. “He may prioritize what he thinks will resonate with public sentiment over practical outcomes.”
