Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touched down in sunny Florida on Friday, ready for a big dinner meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The meeting, widely anticipated, came at a tense time, with Trump recently threatening steep 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. His demand? Both countries need to do more to stop the flow of drugs and illegal immigration into the U.S.
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Earlier in the week, Trudeau seemed optimistic despite the fiery rhetoric. After a phone call with Trump, he described their chat as “good” and said he’s eager to have “lots of great conversations” with the incoming president. Still, those tariff threats cast a shadow, potentially putting the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) at risk—a deal designed to make trade between the three nations smoother and mostly duty-free. That agreement, signed by Trump, has been in place since 2020, but it could face trouble if these threats escalate.
Here’s the twist: USMCA isn’t due for renegotiation until 2026, but experts think Trump might be trying to fast-track talks by putting pressure on Canada and Mexico now. Some aren’t convinced this strategy will work, especially since it feels like a rerun of tactics used during Trump’s first term. “Calling the same play twice rarely works,” one expert pointed out. If Trump doubles down on tariffs, it could lead to higher prices for everyday goods—a big problem, especially since tackling inflation has been one of his campaign promises.
Trudeau, for his part, remains calm and focused. On Monday, Nov. 25, he spoke with Trump after the tariff threats were announced, covering topics they could tackle together. “This relationship needs work, and we’re ready to do it,” Trudeau told reporters.
Landing in Florida ahead of his Friday night meeting, Trudeau seemed ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. All eyes are now on Mar-a-Lago to see if this high-stakes dinner leads to solutions—or more fireworks.
