Two Canadian ministers are headed to President-elect Trump's Florida home on Thursday to talk about border security and trade as the next president's inauguration approaches.
New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly will be in Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday for talks this week, Jean-Sébastien Comeau, LeBlanc's spokesman, told the Associated Press.
Comeau said LeBlanc alongside Joly will meet with Tom Homan, Trump's incoming “border chief”, after Christmas to discuss Canada's border security plan as part of a bid to avoid sweeping tariffs.
A spokesperson said LeBlanc and Joly “look forward to adding to the discussions that took place when the Prime Minister met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month, as well as the wonderful phone call the Ministers had with Mr. Tom Homan earlier this year.” moon.”
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US President Donald Trump (L) talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a NATO summit meeting at the Grove Hotel in Watford, northeast London. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)
As well as discussing border security, Canadian leaders hope to focus discussions on fentanyl smuggling and the “adverse effects” of Trump's tariffs on goods.
“Ministers intend to focus on Canada's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration and the measures outlined in Canada's Border Plan, as well as the negative effects that the imposition of a 25% tax on Canadian goods will have on both Canada and the United States,” Comeau added in a statement. .
Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian imports when he takes office in January unless the country slows the flow of immigrants and fentanyl into the US.
US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a meeting at Winfield House, London on December 3, 2019. (Getty Images)
Trump has made scathing remarks about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media, referring to his counterpart as “Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada.”
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The Christmas Day statement came after Trump suggested to Trudeau that if tariffs on Canada could kill its economy, maybe Canada should become a country. 51st US state.
Canadian flag. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Canadian exports have alarmed Canada, which is heavily integrated with the American economy.
About 60% of US crude oil imports come from Canada, and 85% of US electricity imports.
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About 3.6 billion Canadian dollars – or 2.7 billion US dollars – of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada is the top exporter of the 36 US states.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Trump's team for comment.
Bradford Betz of Fox News Digital and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
