WASHINGTON – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday evening for a dinner session with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago property. This meeting follows Trump’s recent announcement of a 25% tariff on all goods coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.

Trudeau is the first leader from the G7 group of industrial democracies to meet with Trump.

Alongside Trudeau and Trump were several potential appointees for the incoming administration, including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, nominated for Interior secretary; Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, nominated for Commerce secretary; and Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., appointed as the next national security advisor. Additionally present were Sen.-elect David McCormick, R-Penn., and his spouse Dina Powell, a former deputy national security advisor, as reported in various publications.

The meeting was arranged in response to Trump’s warning, made on his social media platform Truth Social, to sign an executive order imposing significant tariffs on his first day of office, scheduled for January 20. These tariffs would serve as a tax on all imported items.

“It is widely known that thousands are entering through Mexico and Canada, bringing unprecedented levels of crime and drugs,” Trump stated.

“This tariff,” Trump continued, “will be in effect until drugs, especially fentanyl, and all illegal immigrants cease this invasion of our country!”

Although tariffs are paid by importers, the increased costs usually get passed on to consumers, leading to concerns not just among American shoppers but also among officials in Mexico and Canada.

Trump has also threatened to impose a 10% tariff on China.

A brief phone call leading to an urgent meeting

Trudeau had an initial phone conversation with Trump on Monday evening, shortly after the tariff announcement. Trudeau later characterized the 10-minute discussion as a “good call.”

“We certainly discussed … the strong and effective relationship between our two nations,” Trudeau informed the media. “We also talked about some shared challenges we need to address together.”

During that call, Trudeau emphasized that the number of migrants coming from Canada to the U.S. is minimal compared to those from Mexico, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

On Wednesday, Trudeau convened a virtual meeting with Canadian officials regarding Trump’s promise. On Friday, he acknowledged that Trump’s threats about tariffs should be taken seriously.

“When Donald Trump makes statements like that, he intends to follow through. There’s no doubt about that,” Trudeau remarked, as reported by CBC, Canada’s national broadcaster.

“It is our duty to indicate that, in doing so, he would not only be negatively impacting Canadians who collaborate seamlessly with the U.S., but he would also be raising costs for American consumers and hurting U.S. industries and businesses,” Trudeau explained.

Canada remains the leading trading partner of the U.S., exporting 78% of its goods and services valued at approximately $482 billion in 2023, according to the Congressional Research Service.

A ‘good’ and ‘very effective’ call with the President of Mexico

On Wednesday, Trump spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Sheinbaum indicated that they did not discuss the proposed tariffs during their conversation. “It was a positive conversation, and we will continue to communicate,” she noted on Thursday.

Trump described the discussion with Sheinbaum as “wonderful” and “very productive.”

Trudeau’s unannounced stop in Palm Beach

Trudeau’s visit on Friday was not included in the official schedules of either leader. Officials from Trump’s transition team did not return requests for comments.

According to the CBC, Trudeau confirmed his presence in Palm Beach for a meeting and dinner with Trump, citing high-level government sources.

According to a Canadian public media source, Prime Minister Trudeau’s plane arrived at Palm Beach International Airport on Friday evening, accompanied by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

Images captured Trudeau exiting a hotel in West Palm Beach as he headed to meet with Trump. The CBC reported that Trudeau was scheduled to depart early in the morning.

Trudeau: Proposed tariffs will impact more than just Canadians

During a press briefing earlier on Friday, Trudeau emphasized the seriousness of Trump’s tariff threats.

“When Donald Trump makes those kinds of statements, you can be sure he intends to follow through. That’s a certainty,” he informed the press.

“We need to highlight that not only would he be negatively affecting Canadians, who have strong collaborations with the United States, but he would also increase prices for American consumers and negatively impact American businesses and industries.”

Trump warns Canada could face significant costs

In a statement on Monday, Trump claimed that Mexico and Canada “have the complete ability and right to resolve this ongoing issue” related to drugs and undocumented immigrants entering the U.S. “We demand they take action, and until they do, they should be prepared to face steep consequences!”

In a later post on Truth Social, Trump mentioned plans to impose an extra 10% tariff on Chinese products in addition to existing tariffs.

“I have discussed with China the significant volume of drugs, particularly Fentanyl, entering the U.S. – but to no avail,” Trump commented. “Chinese representatives claimed they would enforce severe penalties, including the death penalty for drug traffickers, yet they failed to act.”

Trump stated that his proposed additional tariff on Chinese goods would remain until those goods stop entering the U.S. illegally.

Long-term promises to address migration and drug issues

Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump made repeated statements about tightening control over illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border and addressing the influx of illegal drugs. He even promised to declare a national emergency and enlist military force to deport a record number of undocumented immigrants.

Despite Trump’s assertions that drug-related crime is at unprecedented levels, FBI estimates released in September indicated a decline in violent crime across the U.S. for the third consecutive year in 2023, including drops in murders, rapes, and assaults.