Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with US President-elect Donald Trump last Friday for an informal dinner in Florida. This meeting followed Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports due to concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the U.S. The nearly three-hour gathering at Mar-a-Lago included lighthearted moments, and Trump reiterated that he anticipates progress on these issues by January 20, the day he assumes office once more, according to Fox News.
During the dinner meeting, Trudeau expressed to Trump that the proposed new tariffs could severely harm the Canadian economy. In response, Trump suggested that Canada might as well become the 51st state of the United States, according to sources cited by Fox News. The conversation between the two leaders primarily revolved around tariffs, border security, and trade deficits.
Trump was reportedly friendly yet very straightforward about his expectations from Canada as a neighboring partner. He challenged Trudeau on the issue of illegal immigration, claiming that he had not adequately secured the US-Canada border, allowing drugs and migrants from over 70 countries to enter the US. Trump became increasingly animated while discussing the trade deficit, which he asserted was over $100 billion.
Trump firmly indicated to Trudeau that if Canada couldn’t address the border issues and the trade imbalance, he would impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports starting his first day in office. Trudeau countered, arguing that such a tariff would devastate the Canadian economy. Trump then questioned whether Canada could thrive without “ripping off” the US to the amount of $100 billion.