Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Florida to meet with President-elect Donald Trump following Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Trudeau’s plane landed at Palm Beach International Airport, and photos showed him dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The meeting was not part of Trudeau’s public itinerary, and their offices did not provide immediate comment.
The two leaders had a phone call earlier in the week to discuss the challenges they face. Trump announced on social media that one of his first executive orders would be a blanket tariff on Mexico and Canada until issues such as drug trafficking and illegal immigration are addressed. President Joe Biden criticized Trump’s plan as counterproductive.
Canada and Mexico are important trading partners for the U.S., with nearly 30% of trade volumes coming from these countries. The proposed tariffs would impact industries like automotive, dairy, paper, and construction materials. Trump has previously threatened tariffs on countries like China, with economists raising concerns about the potential cost to consumers.
The meeting between Trudeau and Trump comes amid tensions over trade policies, with both leaders discussing ways to address challenges together. The outcome of their discussions and any potential agreements reached could have significant implications for the North American trade relationship.
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