Two senior Canadian ministers attended President-elect Trump home in Florida on Thursday to talk about border security and trade as the next president's inauguration day approaches.
New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs 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 and Joly will meet with Tom Homan, Trump's incoming “border chief,” after Christmas to discuss Canada's border security policy as part of the effort. avoid sweeping charges.
A spokesperson said LeBlanc and Joly “look forward to building on the discussions that took place when the Prime Minister met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month, as well as the positive call the Minister had with Mr. Tom Homan earlier this year.” . a month.”
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US President Donald Trump (L) talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a NATO plenary meeting held at the Grove Hotel in Watford, northeast London. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)
As well as communicating border securityCanadian leaders hope to focus on negotiations on the fentanyl trade and the “negative impacts” 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 25% tariffs on Canada may have them in Canada and the United States,” Comeau added in a statement.
Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada when he takes office in January unless the country slows immigration. and fentanyl to 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 spoken harshly about Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media, referring to a friend as “Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada.”
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The statement on Christmas Day comes after Trump suggested to Trudeau that if Canada's tariffs were to kill its economy, perhaps Canada should be. America's 51st state.
Canadian flag. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Canadian imports, meanwhile, have alarmed Canada, which is closely tied to 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 worth of Canadian goods and services — or $2.7 billion — cross the border every day. Canada is the top shipping destination for 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.