The first meeting between President-elect Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not end the way the latter may have wanted it to. The threat by Donald Trump to impose heavy tariffs on Canada has clearly shaken Trudeau, and he felt it would be apt to call on the President-elect at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
During the meeting that was held on November 29, Trudeau spoke about the proposed tariffs that Trump threatened to impose on Canada. Trump said that he would increase tariffs to 25 % on all imports from Canada. Trudeau told Trump that this decision should be re-considered, and if it were to go through, then it had the potential to kill the Canadian economy.
Trump instead joked with Trudeau that if Canada cannot survive without fleecing the United States to the tune of $100 billion every year, then maybe it would be best for Canada to become the 51st state of the United States. He also suggested that if this happened, then Trudeau could be the governor of that state. Justin Trudeau, who is facing his worst ratings back home, had hoped that Donald Trump would not win the elections. However, Trump won with a huge mandate and now has control over the presidency.
During his campaign, Trump had repeatedly attacked Trudeau. He had spoken about how Canada was ripping off the United States, and if elected, he would make the country pay for it. With Trump in the hot seat now, Canada would have to brace up for trade disputes and this would send the country reeling into a recession. This would be bad news for Trudeau, who is facing a tough time at home. His ratings are at the lowest, and his winning chances are as thin as ice in the elections to be held next year.
Moreover, he is already running a minority government and is at the mercy of Jagmeet Singh, a pro-Khalistan politician. The trade war would make his chances of winning even more slim. Canada would be the worst hit by Trump’s tariffs as 75 % of the country’s exports go to the United States.
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