Canadian ministers hold high-stakes talks with Trump team on tariffs issue

ISTANBUL

Canadian ministers met with top US President-elect Donald Trump nominees in Florida on Friday to discuss the looming threat of 25% US tariffs related to migration and fentanyl issues.

Canadian Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly were engaged in high-stakes talks with Trump’s nominees for Commerce and Interior secretary, Howard Lutnick and Doug Burgum, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

The discussions come as Canada faces the looming threat of 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports, which Trump has vowed to impose if concerns about undocumented migration and fentanyl trafficking are not addressed.

Jean-Sebastien Comeau, spokesperson for Leblanc, described the talks as “positive and productive,” emphasizing the ministers’ focus on presenting Canada’s $694 million Border Plan.

The plan, designed to address Trump’s concerns, outlines measures to bolster border security and combat fentanyl’s devastating impact.

“Leblanc and Joly outlined the measures in Canada’s Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives,” Comeau stated.

The US officials “agreed to relay information to President Trump,” Comeau confirmed.

However, the potential for a trade war remains a pressing concern for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has pledged retaliatory measures if the tariffs are enacted.

With over 75% of Canada’s exports destined for the US and nearly two million Canadian jobs tied to trade, the stakes are high.

The negotiations come amid political turmoil in Canada, following the abrupt resignation of Chrystia Freeland as finance minister earlier this month. In her resignation letter, Freeland criticized Trudeau for prioritizing populist measures over preparing the country for economic challenges.