Canada’s Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly are set to travel to Florida on December 27 to meet with members of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team in Palm Beach. The meeting comes in response to Trump’s threats to impose tariffs, according to a statement from LeBlanc’s office.
The discussions will focus on Canada’s plans to combat cross-border fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration, Ottawa’s recently announced $694 million border security enhancement plan, and the potential negative impact on both countries if the U.S. imposes a 25% tariff on Canadian goods.
Canadian media reports suggest the ministers also plan to meet influential Republicans and close Trump allies, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
Trump’s Criticism of Canada
Since his election, Trump has repeatedly criticized Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He has threatened a 25% tariff on Canadian goods unless Canada addresses issues like cross-border fentanyl trafficking, illegal immigration, and trade imbalances.
Trump has also made controversial remarks about the possibility of Canada becoming the “51st state” of the U.S., jokingly referring to Trudeau as the “governor” of this hypothetical state. In a Christmas post on Truth Social, Trump reiterated the idea, suggesting Canadians should support statehood to benefit from tax advantages.
Canadian Government’s Response
The Canadian government has taken steps to ease tensions with the President-elect. Trudeau visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago on November 29 and announced a border security budget increase in early December. Brian Clow, Trudeau’s deputy chief of staff, also visited Mar-a-Lago on Christmas Eve to lobby on Canada’s behalf.
According to sources cited by Canadian media, Joly and LeBlanc are traveling to Florida to assess whether Trump is satisfied with Trudeau’s border security plan and are prepared to allow Trump’s team to take credit for it.
The ministers also aim to clarify to Trump that the trade deficit between the two countries is primarily driven by Canada’s oil and gas exports to the U.S., a dynamic that ultimately benefits Washington.
(Sources: Globe and Mail, AFP)
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