Donald Trump has dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida
Florida: According to a source cited by CNN, US President-elect Donald Trump is dining with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday night (local time) at the Mar-a-Lago club in Florida amid fears of a possible trade war between the two neighbors.
The article claims that with Trump having lately voiced border-related worries and threatened to put a 25% tax on Canadian goods beginning on the first day of his presidency, several members of Trudeau’s cabinet were also anticipated to attend the meal.
Reuters claims that a trip to Florida was not on Trudeau’s official schedule. Regarding the resort encounter, neither Trump’s aides nor Trudeau’s administration offered any comments.
According to a source cited by CNN, Trump transition co-chair Howard Lutnick, his choice for Commerce secretary, and Florida Representative Mike Waltz, who was selected as his national security advisor, were also seated at the table with their wives.
The article also said that Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, and Katie Telford, Trudeau’s Chief of Staff, were there.
Is a US-Canada Trade War imminent?
The meeting is noteworthy, however, since it takes place only days after Trump pledged a massive tax on Canadian goods and weeks before he takes office.
Trump warned on Monday to impose a 25% tax on goods coming from Canada and Mexico unless the two nations took action against illegal immigration and drug use. Trudeau therefore convened a conference to examine US relations with the premiers of all ten Canadian provinces.
“One of the most crucial things to realize is that Donald Trump intends to follow through on his claims when he says them. Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, Trudeau said, “There is no question about it.”
It is our duty to draw attention to the fact that, in doing so, he would not only be hurting Canadians, who get along so well with the United States, but he would also be hurting American firms and industry and increasing costs for American residents,” he said.
Trudeau says he hopes to collaborate with Trump.
Trudeau said his hope that he and Trump will cooperate in order to “respond to some of the issues” and solve some of the worries.
The CNN article claims that after the tariff announcement, Trump and Trudeau spoke briefly over the phone on trade and border security.
In a courteous manner, Trudeau congratulated Trump earlier this month on winning the presidential vote.
The world is envious of the bond that exists between the United States and Canada. Trudeau had said, “I am confident that President Trump and I will collaborate to increase opportunity, prosperity, and security for both of our countries.”
But the Trudeau administration is preparing for a potentially tumultuous 2025 election year.
According to a Reuters article, Trudeau allegedly informed top Liberals in January of this year that a second Trump term would be “a magnitude more challenging” than his first.
