Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled to Florida on Friday for a private dinner with former US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, a meeting that had not been previously announced. The dinner comes amid rising tensions over Trump’s new tariff threats against Canadian and Mexican imports, adding to growing concerns as he prepares to begin his second term in January.
The surprise meeting capped a hectic week for Canada and Mexico, as both nations scrambled to address the potential fallout from Trump’s recent statements. Trade experts have warned that such tariffs could also hurt American consumers.
Trudeau was spotted leaving a hotel in West Palm Beach with a smile before heading to Mar-a-Lago, joining a growing list of high-profile visitors to Trump’s Florida residence. His visit underscores the weight of Trump’s upcoming presidency, which is already casting a shadow over the final months of President Joe Biden’s administration.
Reports of Trudeau’s trip first emerged when flight trackers noticed a jet with the Canadian Prime Minister’s callsign en route to Florida. Later, a Canadian government official confirmed that Trudeau and Trump were dining together.
Trump’s tariff threats raise alarm
Earlier in the week, Trump announced plans to impose steep tariffs—25% on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on goods from China—citing concerns over drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, and undocumented immigration.
“We’re dealing with an invasion,” Trump declared, prompting swift reactions from Canada, Mexico, and the US business community.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke with Trump by phone on Wednesday in an effort to defuse tensions. However, the two leaders offered conflicting accounts of their conversation. Trump claimed Sheinbaum had agreed to halt migration through Mexico and effectively “close the southern border.” Sheinbaum, however, described the discussion differently, focusing instead on longstanding US-backed anti-migration measures already in place. She downplayed the risk of escalating the dispute into a full-blown trade war.
High stakes for Canada
For Canada, the stakes of any new tariffs are immense. The US remains Canada’s largest trading partner, accounting for more than three-quarters of Canadian exports—valued at CA$592.7 billion (US$423 billion) last year. Nearly two million Canadian jobs rely on this trade.
Trudeau, speaking earlier in the week in Prince Edward Island, rejected the notion that Trump’s comments might be mere posturing ahead of future trade negotiations. Meanwhile, a Canadian government official revealed that Ottawa is already weighing potential retaliatory tariffs should the US move forward with its plans.
President Biden also weighed in, warning on Wednesday that Trump’s tariff threats could seriously harm US relationships with both Canada and Mexico.
“I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do,” Biden told reporters.
While Trudeau remained tight-lipped as he returned to his hotel after Friday’s meeting, his visit to Florida highlights the importance of maintaining strong economic ties with the United States—even in the face of uncertain times.
