Nov 30, (V7N) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Florida on Friday for a dinner with US president-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private estate. This unannounced meeting follows a week of heightened tensions over trade, with Trump threatening tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. The meeting comes as Trump prepares to begin his second term in January, and his trade policies have overshadowed the final months of President Joe Biden’s administration.

Earlier in the week, Trump made headlines by announcing he would impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on Chinese goods, citing concerns about drugs, particularly fentanyl, and undocumented immigration. These statements prompted responses from both Canada and Mexico, with the latter’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, downplaying the threat after speaking to Trump. Sheinbaum said the conversation had shifted away from the tariff issue after discussions on migration.

Canada, which relies heavily on trade with the US, has expressed concerns over the potential impact of new tariffs, with over 75% of Canadian exports going to the US. Trudeau emphasized that Trump’s tariff threats should not be dismissed as bluster, stating, "Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out."

The Canadian government has reportedly considered retaliatory measures if the tariffs are imposed, as trade with the US supports millions of Canadian jobs. The dinner meeting between Trudeau and Trump signals ongoing negotiations and the potential for further trade talks in the future.

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