PALM BEACH, United States – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described his meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago as an “excellent conversation,” amid escalating concerns over Trump’s announced plans for tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports.
The Nov 29 dinner marked Trudeau’s attempt to address Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs, which the president-elect claims are necessary to combat issues like drug trafficking and unauthorized migration. A photo from the gathering showed Trudeau seated alongside Trump and other high-profile figures, including Trump’s picks for commerce secretary and national security adviser.
In his remarks on Nov 30, Trudeau underscored the gravity of the tariff threat for Canada. With more than three-quarters of Canadian exports—worth over C$592.7 billion (S$566.7 billion) in 2023—destined for the U.S., and millions of Canadian jobs tied to trade, the stakes are high.
Diverging Views on Tariff Threats
While some analysts speculated Trump’s threats might serve as leverage for future negotiations, Trudeau dismissed such views, saying Trump’s track record suggests he intends to act on his statements.
This comes after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke with Trump earlier in the week, with both sides offering differing accounts of the conversation. Trump claimed Mexico agreed to “effectively close” its southern border to migration, while Sheinbaum characterized the discussions as a review of ongoing U.S.-supported policies.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Trump’s tariff threats risk harming crucial relationships with Canada and Mexico, calling the strategy “counterproductive.”
Retaliation and Next Steps
A Canadian government source indicated Ottawa is exploring potential retaliatory measures, though specifics remain unclear. For now, Trudeau’s visit signals a bid to manage escalating trade tensions before Trump assumes office in January. The meeting highlights the growing uncertainty in North American trade relations as Trump prepares to implement his second-term agenda.