Ottawa’s attempts to curb illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking will be the main topic of the meeting between the foreign minister and the Canadian finance minister with the Trump administration.
In an effort to prevent a potentially catastrophic trade war, key officials of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet have traveled to Florida to meet with representatives of US President-elect Donald Trump.
According to a statement given to the AFP news agency, newly appointed Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly took a plane to Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday “to meet with officials from the incoming Trump administration,” according to Leblanc spokesperson Jean-Sebastien Comeau.
Friday’s sessions will “focus on Canada’s efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration,” according to the statement.
In response to the tariff threat, Canada developed a new border security plan worth $694 million, which the ministers will present to Trump’s staff.
“the negative impacts that the imposition of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods would have on both Canada and the United States,” the statement further said, will be discussed at the meeting.
Who the Canadian authorities would particularly be meeting with was not specified in the announcement.
Even though far fewer migrants and drugs enter the US from Canada than from Mexico, where Trump has also vowed to apply sweeping tariffs, Trump has warned to do so if Canada does not stop what he describes as a flow of both.
Canada is the source of over 85% of US electricity imports and 60% of US crude oil imports.
A crisis in politics
As his government deals with a growing issue, Trudeau’s envoys are traveling to Florida. Earlier this month, Leblanc was appointed finance minister following the unexpected resignation of deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland.
In a harsh letter of resignation, Freeland charged that Trudeau was more concerned with giving supporters short-sighted favors than preparing Canada’s economy to face potential tariffs from Trump.
Some of Trudeau’s former parliamentary friends have called for his resignation, citing the Liberal government’s severe polling deficit to the Conservatives.
Both Leblanc and Joly have been mentioned by Canadian media as possible candidates to take Trudeau’s place as leader of the Liberal Party.
