As the threat of a potential trade war between the US and Canada looms, President-elect Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met up for a private dinner on Friday evening at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The meeting, which came with the inclusion of the members of Trudeau‘s cabinet, occurred amid rising tension over border issues and other trade tariffs.
High-Stakes Dinner at Mar-a-Lago
According to CNN, the dinner was attended by key officials, including Florida Representative Mike Waltz, Trump transition co-chair Howard Lutnick, and their spouses. From the Canadian side, Chief of Staff Katie Telford and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc were present. The event was not part of Trudeau’s public schedule, raising speculation about the discussions. Neither Trudeau’s office nor Trump’s representatives commented on the specifics of the meeting.
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#BREAKING 🚨 | Canada PM Justin Trudeau arrives at Mar-a-Lago to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump
pic.twitter.com/6c82cOE5ex— mike (@ReadyMikeX) November 30, 2024
The event occurs against a backdrop of Trump‘s recent announcement to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, which he said was required to quell concerns over drug trafficking and illegal immigration along the US-Canada border.
Trudeau’s Response to Tariff Threats
Earlier this week, Trudeau held a meeting with Canadian provincial premiers to strategise on US relations following Trump’s tariff threat. Speaking to reporters, Trudeau emphasised the potential harm of such tariffs, not only to Canada but also to American consumers and industries.
“Our responsibility is to highlight that imposing such tariffs would not just harm Canadian workers but also raise costs for American citizens and hurt their businesses,” Trudeau stated.
Despite these tensions, Trudeau remains hopeful about collaboration. “I believe President Trump and I can work together to address these issues and create opportunities for our nations,” he said.
A Prelude to Potential Trade War?
This comes weeks before Trump‘s formal inauguration and days after he pledged to implement tough tariffs on Canada and Mexico. The two leaders had a phone conversation earlier in the week discussing border security and trade, reports CNN. Trudeau‘s government is bracing for what he described as “a magnitude more challenging“ phase, should Trump secure a second term.
As the two leaders navigate this pivotal moment, the world watches closely to see whether diplomacy can prevent an escalation into a full-blown trade Tensions.
