Trudeau visits Trump after threat of import duties - Reuters
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (photo: Getty Images)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited US President-elect Donald Trump at a resort in Florida. The unannounced visit took place after Trump threatened to impose tariffs, reports Reuters.
Trudeau was reportedly spotted on Friday near a hotel in West Palm Beach, after which he headed to Trump's residence. His office and representatives of the president-elect did not provide an immediate comment.
On Monday, Trump threatened to impose a 25% duty on imports from Canada and Mexico until the countries stop the flow of migrants and drugs. Officials in Mexico and Canada, as well as large industrial groups, have warned that high duties will harm the economies of all countries involved and cause a sharp rise in inflation.
According to Reuters, any blow to the Canadian economy will exacerbate Trudeau's problems amid falling ratings partly due to the slowdown and soaring cost of living. Polls show that his party may lose to the opposition Conservatives in the 2025 elections.
It is also reported that Trudeau is accompanied by Public Safety Minister Dominique Leblanc.
Canada is the fourth-largest oil producer and the sixth-largest natural gas producer. The vast majority of 4 million barrels per day of crude oil exports go to the United States.
Earlier it was reported that Trump's statements about the duty stirred up global financial markets. In particular, the Canadian dollar fell by 1.2% against the US dollar, and the Mexican peso by 2%.
China has already responded to Trump that trade wars do not lead to victory.
Read more about the plans of the US President-elect in the article Trump’s 'trade wars' strategy: What it means for Ukraine and the world.
