Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Friday to meet with the U.S. president-elect, just days after Trump warned of imposing tariffs on Canadian imports. The visit, unlisted in Trudeau’s public schedule, was confirmed by a Reuters witness who spotted him leaving a hotel in West Palm Beach en route to the resort.
Neither Trudeau’s office nor Trump’s representatives immediately provided comments about the meeting.
Earlier in the week, Trump proposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, citing concerns over illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, and migrant crossings at the U.S. borders. Officials from Canada, Mexico, and China, along with major industry groups, have cautioned that such tariffs could harm economic growth, spike inflation, and hurt job markets across the involved nations.
The potential economic impact is particularly worrying for Trudeau, whose approval ratings have suffered due to Canada’s sluggish economy and rising living costs. Polls suggest Trudeau’s Liberals could lose to the opposition Conservatives in the federal election expected by October 2025.
In response to Trump’s tariff threat, Trudeau pledged to maintain a unified stance and convened a meeting with the premiers of Canada’s 10 provinces to strengthen U.S.-Canada relations. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc accompanied Trudeau, as reported by CBC News.
Canada, a major oil and gas producer, relies heavily on the U.S. for its crude oil exports, accounting for four million barrels per day. However, sources indicate Trump’s proposed tariffs would not exempt crude oil, potentially adding strain to the Canadian economy.
The meeting underscores the high stakes in U.S.-Canada trade relations as Trudeau navigates these challenges while facing mounting domestic political pressure.
