Three weeks after his sweeping victory, President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social to threaten Canada, Mexico, and China with 25% trade tariffs until they get serious about stopping the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants into the U.S. He wrote:
As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before. Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border.On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump that night. Asked about the call by reporters, Trudeau said that while there was work to be done, he felt confident that he and the incoming U.S. president could resolve their differences.
Evidently, their differences were worse than Trudeau had let on, because three days later, the prime minister made an impromptu trip down to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump face-to-face.
Although the meeting between the two leaders didn’t produce any firm agreements, they appeared to be getting on very well.
Two people seated at the table told Fox News’ Peter Doocy that when Trudeau said the new tariffs would kill the Canadian economy, Trump joked that if Canada can’t survive without ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion a year, maybe Canada should become the 51st state, and Trudeau could become its governor!
This exchange became the biggest takeaway from the trip on both sides of the border.
Upon Trudeau’s return to Canada, he was widely criticized by the press for appearing subordinate to Trump. The Western Standard called the trip “a waste of time and fuel” and “a mission without a win.” Trudeau was “trying to out-Trump Donald Trump,” the report said.
… There was no joint statement or announcement of an agreement. There were promises to continue discussions, which does not constitute a victory. … But showing that Trump was not mean to him is hardly a diplomatic victory.
Trump provided Trudeau with opportunities for photo sessions without conceding anything or making any promises. He maintained his firm demand that Canada strengthen its border security to prevent drugs and potential terrorists from crossing freely. Trump takes satisfaction in the fact that a man he despises travelled to plead with him for leniency regarding his tariff threats. He is fully aware of this dynamic.Prime Minister Trudeau may portray himself as someone who understands Trump well, but Trump holds the upper hand. He knows Trudeau is “weak” and desperately desires to maintain himself in power, despite his low popularity. Furthermore, Trump understands that Trudeau is willing to make significant political sacrifices to achieve a seemingly favourable resolution to the border issues. Trudeau badly needs a win, and Trump knows that Trudeau is willing to jeopardize his country’s economy to win. Consequently, Trump will likely capitalize on Trudeau’s vulnerabilities for all they are worth.
Trudeau responded to the media’s disapproval by acting tough and making disparaging remarks about Trump to the Canadian press. According to Bloomberg, the prime minister said, Canada will “respond to unfair tariffs in a number of ways, and we’re still looking at the right ways to respond, but our responses to the unfair steel and aluminum tariffs were what ended up lifting those tariffs last time.”
Hot Air’s David Strom, who supplied the following clips of Trudeau as “he primped and preened before the Halifax Chamber of Commerce [on Monday], taking swipes at Trump,” wrote, “Trudeau’s ego is as large as his testosterone levels are low, so to compensate, he talks big, insults Trump, and gets blowback that he richly deserves.”
The war of words between the two spilled into Tuesday with Trump hilariously referring to Trudeau as “the Gov.”
The chef’s kiss came to us courtesy of the humorless Canadian Green Party leader Elizabeth Evans May, who was actually quite amusing without meaning to be during a Tuesday press conference. May said she is becoming “increasingly nervous” about Trump’s jokes. She was asked by a reporter about the following Truth Social post from Trump.
And she replied:
To the extent that this 51st state thing was a joke, it’s not funny. And I find that pursuing it on social media makes me increasingly nervous. … We have to be very careful with the President-elect and we have to pull together, I think all opposition party leaders and premiers, all elements of the Canadian establishment such as we are, better pull together to make sure that we don’t create any cracks that allow Fox News or Mr. Trump’s social media to exploit us and say things about Canada that aren’t true.
If only May were as nervous about other foreign countries as she is about the U.S.
Elizabeth writes commentary for The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation and a member of the Editorial Board at The Sixteenth Council, a London think tank. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
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