Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would meet with premiers to discuss Canada-US relations in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threat. Trudeau said he had good contact with Trump last night where the two talked about some of the challenges. “It was a good call. It’s something we can do — present the facts, and look forward constructively. It’s a relationship that we certainly know to work on and that’s what we’ll do. ,” Trudeau said.
“One of the important things is that we all work together on this. That’s what the Team Canada approach does,” Trudeau said.
Donald Trump said Monday he would impose 25 percent tariffs on imports from two border-sharing neighbors, Canada and Mexico — unless they stop sending drugs and illegal immigrants into the US.
“These tariffs will remain in effect until drugs, especially fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop invading our country!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily resolve this long-simmering problem. We hereby demand that they exercise this power, and until they do, it is time for them to pay a very heavy price!”
In a 10-minute phone call, Trudeau pointed out that only a small fraction of the number of migrants from Canada to the US come from Mexico, according to reports.
Canadian Immigration Minister Mark Miller said the annual flow of migrants from Canada to the US amounted to a “significant weekend at the Mexico border”. “At the same time … it’s serious and we have a job not to make our problems Americans’ problems and they have a job not to make their problems ours,” he said.