Two key Canadian ministers, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, are visiting Palm Beach, Florida this week. They are set to meet with officials from the incoming Trump administration. The focus will be on trade and border security, especially with Trump’s threats of imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.
Discussing Border Security and Tariffs
Last week, LeBlanc confirmed that he would meet with Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed “border czar,” after Christmas. The goal is to discuss Canada’s plan to secure its border and avoid sweeping tariffs. Jean-Sébastien Comeau, a spokesman for LeBlanc, said the ministers aim to build on earlier talks between Prime Minister Trudeau and President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. They also plan to follow up on a recent positive conversation with Homan.
Key Issues on the Agenda
LeBlanc and Joly will focus on Canada’s efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. They will also discuss Canada’s Border Plan and the impact of the proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. Comeau emphasized that these issues are vital for both Canada and the U.S.
Trump’s Trade and Border Concerns
Trump has called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the “governor of the 51st state” and criticized Canada for allowing drugs and migrants to enter the U.S. However, fewer migrants and drugs come from Canada than from Mexico, which Trump also threatens with tariffs. Canada has a billion-dollar plan to strengthen its border security. LeBlanc remains optimistic after discussing parts of the plan with U.S. officials, but he acknowledges there’s still much work to be done.
U.S.-Canada Trade Deficit Debate
Trump has also targeted the U.S.-Canada trade deficit, wrongly labeling it a subsidy. Canada’s ambassador to Washington, Kirsten Hillman, clarified that the U.S. had a $75 billion trade deficit with Canada last year. Hillman noted that energy exports make up a large portion of the deficit. She added that the U.S. imports a significant amount of crude oil and electricity from Canada.
Drug Seizures and Migration at the Border
The difference in drug seizures and migrant flows between the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders is stark. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last year. In comparison, 21,100 pounds were seized at the Mexican border. Most fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Mexican cartels using chemicals from Asia. On immigration, U.S. Border Patrol recorded 1.53 million migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border last year, while only 23,721 encounters occurred at the Canadian border.
