Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met in Florida days after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday afternoon, President Trump called the meeting “very productive,” and said the two leaders “resolved issues such as fentanyl and the drug crisis that have cost so many lives. We discussed many important issues that need to be addressed together.” It’s the result of illegal immigration, fair trade agreements that don’t put American workers at risk, and the huge trade deficit the US has with Canada. ”
“I have made it clear that the United States can no longer stand by and watch our people fall victim to the scourge of this drug epidemic, caused primarily by drug cartels and fentanyl coming from China. So much death and suffering! Minister Trudeau is committed to working with us to end this horrific devastation to American families,” the president-elect added in the post.
Prime Minister Trudeau posted a photo of himself and President Trump on Saturday afternoon, thanking the president-elect for meeting with him.
“Thank you, President Trump, for dinner last night. I look forward to working with you again,” Trudeau said on TV’s “X.”
On Saturday morning, Prime Minister Trudeau said he had a “great conversation” with President Trump. When reporters asked if the two sides had discussed tariffs, the Canadian leader left the West Palm hotel where he had spent the night.
Trudeau’s plane landed Friday night at Palm Beach International Airport, which President Trump will use to travel to his Mar-a-Lago mansion.
A photo posted by Pennsylvania Sen.-elect David McCormick and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr.’s fiancée, on social media late Friday night shows Trump and Trudeau meeting North Dakota Gov. Doug They were pictured sitting at a dinner table with Burgum and other guests.
The Canadian leader’s public itinerary on Friday did not include a visit to Mar-a-Lago. President Trump could not be reached for comment.
The two spoke by phone earlier this week after President Trump announced his tariff plans. Prime Minister Trudeau said the two made “good decisions” and discussed “some challenges that we can work on together.”
President Trump said on Truth Social last week that one of his first executive orders would impose a 25% blanket tariff on Mexico and Canada.
“These tariffs will remain in effect until we stop drugs, especially fentanyl, and all illegal aliens from invading our country!” Trump said in the post.
President Joe Biden criticized Trump’s announcement, calling it “counterproductive.”
“I hope he reconsiders, but I think that would be counterproductive,” Biden said in response to a reporter’s question about his response.
Mexico and Canada are the second and third largest suppliers of goods to the United States, accounting for nearly 30% of trade volume, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Canada sends about 75% of its total exports to the United States.
Affected industries include automobiles, dairy products, paper products, and construction materials such as wood.
The United States imports the most products from China.
During his campaign, President Trump frequently promised to impose additional tariffs, particularly on China. Some economists have criticized the prospect of high tariffs, arguing that the costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers.
