Justin Trudeau might have thought he was in for a quiet evening, but President Trump had other plans. On Monday night, just hours after Trump announced his intention to slap a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico, China, and Canada over border security concerns, Trudeau reportedly picked up the phone to call the President-elect. The conversation, described by insiders as “constructive,” had Trudeau scrambling to defend Canada’s border policies while trying to stave off economic disaster.
Let’s not beat around the bush—Trump’s tariff threat is a shot across the bow. In his statement, Trump laid out his case in typical Trumpian fashion, warning that Canada’s border issues, though overshadowed by the U.S.-Mexico border crisis, are still part of the problem. The tariffs, he said, would remain until Canada and Mexico tackled illegal immigration and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, which continues to devastate American communities.
Trudeau, in his defense, reportedly argued that Canada’s border issues are “minuscule” compared to the chaos at the southern border. That’s probably true on paper—Canada isn’t exactly seeing caravans of migrants or massive drug busts every other week—but Trump’s point is clear: if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. And right now, Canada’s not doing enough to help.
The fallout from Trump’s tariff warning has already sent Canadian leaders into a panic. Ontario Premier Doug Ford sounded the alarm, urging Trudeau to call an emergency meeting with the premiers to develop a united strategy. Ford didn’t mince words about the potential economic impact, calling a 25% tariff “devastating” for workers and jobs on both sides of the border.
Shortly after Trump’s post, Trudeau contacted Trump and the two leaders spoke by phone. According to a source, they talked border security and it was a “constructive call.” Trudeau pointed out that the issues at the Canadian border are miniscule compared to the US/Mexico border. https://t.co/4YC7BcDsbG
— Brian Platt (@btaplatt) November 26, 2024
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith took a more diplomatic approach, acknowledging Trump’s “valid concerns” while emphasizing that Alberta’s energy exports to the U.S. are safely delivered through pipelines and don’t contribute to illegal activities. Smith’s message? Let’s focus on energy security and mutual interests rather than let this tariff talk spiral out of control.
Here’s the bottom line: Trump isn’t playing around. His promise to put America first isn’t just a slogan—it’s a strategy, and he’s willing to rattle allies to make it happen. For Trudeau, the stakes are high. If he can’t calm the waters, Canada’s economy could take a serious hit, and Trudeau’s already shaky leadership will face even more scrutiny.