Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly travelled to Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday to meet with members of President-elect Donald Trump’s team as his inauguration nears.
The ministers are set to discuss border security, fentanyl trafficking, and the impact of Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods.
LeBlanc and Joly will meet with Trump’s incoming “border czar,” Tom Homan, to outline Canada’s Border Plan and emphasise the need for cooperation on issues affecting both nations.
The ministers aim to mitigate tensions surrounding Trump’s tariff threats, which could impose a 25% duty on Canadian imports unless measures are taken to curb fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration into the U.S.
The talks follow Trump’s recent jabs at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he referred to as “Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada,” even joking that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state.
Trump’s rhetoric and threats of economic penalties have raised concerns in Canada, whose economy is deeply intertwined with the U.S. About $3.6 billion CAD in goods and services crosses the border daily, making Canada the top export destination for 36 U.S. states.
Canadian officials hope to leverage the meeting to maintain strong trade relations while addressing shared security concerns.
