Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited President-elect Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida, following Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico. The meeting was prompted by Trump’s social media post about signing an executive order on his first day in office to impose tariffs. Trudeau and Trump spoke on the phone prior to the meeting, with Trudeau pointing out that the number of migrants from Canada is significantly lower than those from Mexico.
Trudeau argued that Trump’s tariff threats would hurt not only Canadians and the Canadian economy but also American consumers, raising prices for citizens and damaging American industry. Trump also threatened a 10% tariff on Chinese goods over the issue of illegal drugs entering the U.S.
Trump had a “very productive” call with Mexico’s president but did not discuss the proposed tariffs during the call. Trump has long been focused on cracking down on illegal migrant crossings and drug smuggling. Despite his claims of increasing crime levels, data show that violent crime in the U.S. declined in recent years.
Trudeau’s visit to Palm Beach was unannounced, and both leaders’ public schedules did not list the meeting. Trudeau emphasized the importance of taking Trump’s tariff threats seriously and pointed out the potential negative impact on both Canadians and American consumers.
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