President-elect Donald Trump hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, in a meeting shrouded in high stakes and diplomatic urgency.
The unexpected dinner, absent from Trudeau’s official itinerary, followed Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico. The tariffs, Trump stated, are a direct response to what he calls the “illegal alien invasion” and the ongoing fentanyl crisis.
On Truth Social, Trump reiterated his commitment to imposing tariffs immediately after taking office, framing them as leverage to compel Canada and Mexico to act on border security and drug trafficking.
Peter Doocy about Trump and Trudeau dinner: “We are told that when Trudeau told Trump that new tariffs would kill the Canadian economy,
Trump made a joke to him that if Canada can’t survive without ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100bn a year then maybe Canada should… pic.twitter.com/MxjgGFMDhI
— Resist Times (@resistupdates) December 2, 2024
“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% tariff on ALL products coming into the United States and its ridiculous open borders,” Trump wrote.
He emphasized that the measure would remain until both nations take decisive steps to halt illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long-simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price,” Trump added.
Trump’s announcement sent shockwaves through Ottawa, with Trudeau’s government viewing the tariffs as a serious threat to Canada’s economy.
Within hours, Trudeau contacted Trump to discuss trade and border security issues. Seeking to diffuse the situation, Trudeau flew to Florida for an in-person meeting.
The dinner conversation was described as “productive” by Trump, focusing on key issues such as the drug crisis, trade imbalances, and energy policies.
“I just had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, where we discussed many important topics,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our citizens become victims of the drug epidemic, caused mainly by the drug cartels and fentanyl pouring in from China. Too much death and hardship!”
Trump noted that Trudeau committed to working alongside the U.S. to address the fentanyl crisis and illegal immigration. Other discussions included trade fairness, energy cooperation, and Arctic policy.
The high-stakes dinner took a lighter turn when Trump reportedly quipped that if Canada’s economy is unsustainable without what he claimed was a $100 billion annual trade imbalance, the country might consider becoming the 51st U.S. state.
Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy shared details from sources at the dinner: “We’re told that when Trudeau expressed concerns about the tariffs’ economic impact, Trump joked that if Canada can’t survive without ripping off the U.S., then maybe Canada.
While Trudeau’s government has yet to release an official statement, the meeting underscores escalating tensions between the U.S. and its northern neighbor as Trump prepares to take office.
The proposed tariffs, combined with Trump’s uncompromising stance on border security and trade, signal a challenging road ahead for U.S.-Canada relations.
As Trump reaffirmed his priorities on Truth Social, he made clear that his administration will demand action on these issues from day one. “All are vital issues that I will be addressing on my first days back in office, and before,” he wrote.
