Janice R. Andrews
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday for a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, according to reports from Canadian and U.S. media outlets.
Trudeau’s unannounced visit was first identified by flight trackers, who spotted his plane landing at Palm Beach International Airport. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that Trudeau is accompanied by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, and the two leaders are expected to dine together.
This meeting comes just days after Trump’s controversial social media posts, in which he threatened to impose import tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. These remarks have raised alarms in Canada, where the U.S. is a key trading partner, accounting for over 75% of Canadian exports—worth CAD 592.7 billion ($423 billion)—and supporting nearly two million jobs.
While some observers believe Trump’s tariff threats may be a bargaining tactic, Trudeau dismissed this idea in a press conference earlier in Prince Edward Island, stating, “When Donald Trump makes threats like this, he follows through. There’s no question about it.”
In response, Canada is reportedly considering retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. However, Trudeau’s office has yet to confirm the details of his Florida trip.
This high-level meeting signals heightened tensions between the two nations, with future trade negotiations set to take center stage in the coming weeks. All eyes are now on the outcome of this crucial encounter.
