Concerned about customs duties, Trudeau meets Trump in Florida

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Florida on Friday to meet with Donald Trump, which has sparked concern study among the United States' neighbors by threatening them with a drastic increase in customs duties.

On Monday, the president-elect said he wanted to impose 25% tariffs on all products imported into the United States on Mexico and Canada, an announcement which has shaken both countries and raised fears of a vast trade war.

It was probably in an attempt to avoid such economic hostilities that Justin Trudeau made a surprise trip to West Palm Beach on Friday to meet in person with the next American president, who returns to the White House on January 20.

A Canadian government source confirmed to AFP that he had come to dine with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, the billionaire's residence.

The Canadian leader did not respond to journalists when he returned to his hotel after the meeting.

– Retaliation? –

Faced with Donald Trump's announcements, Canada was quick to react. Ottawa is now considering imposing additional tariffs on some U.S. items in retaliation, according to a government source.

Because more than three-quarters of Canadian exports in value (592 billion Canadian dollars or 400 billion euros) went to the United States in 2023. And in terms of employment, nearly 2 million people in Canada depend on exports out of a population of approximately 41 million inhabitants.

US President Donald Trump (L) listens to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they head to the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, October 11, 2017 © AFP – JIM WATSON

On Friday, Justin Trudeau suggested to the press that he had no doubt that Donald Trump intended to implement this increase announced upon taking office.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

“When Donald Trump makes statements like that, he intends to carry them out,” declared the Liberal Prime Minister, who is trailing his Conservative opponent in the polls a few months before the Canadian election.

During Trump's first term, the United States imposed customs tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on steel imports. aluminum, to which Ottawa responded by targeting certain products.

Regardless of the Canada-United States-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (USMCA), Donald Trump had made customs duties the backbone of his economic policy during his campaign.

– Mexico –

Photo montage showing US President-elect Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum © AFP – CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, Rodrigo Oropeza

On Monday, the former and future president promised that he would maintain this surcharge “until drugs, especially fentanyl, and all illegal immigrants stop this invasion of our country!”.

He spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday, but their phone call gave rise to divergent interpretations.

The American assured that his counterpart had agreed to “stop illegal immigration” to the United States. But Ms. Sheinbaum contradicted her, recalling that Mexico's position “is not to close the borders.”

She also threatened to increase Mexican customs tariffs on American products, deploring that this trade war threatens competitiveness, inflation and employment in North America.

On his departure, Joe Biden judged Donald Trump's statements to be “counterproductive.” These neighboring countries are “allies,” the American president said Thursday, and “the last thing we want to do is start to ruin those relationships.”

Donald Trump also announced Monday that he wanted to increase customs duties on products from China by 10%.

Since he beat Democrat Kamala Harris at the polls on November 5 and without waiting to be sworn in on January 20 in Washington, Donald Trump has hosted several officials at his home in Florida: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Argentine President Javier Milei.

All reproduction and representation rights reserved. © (2024) Agence France-Presse