Trudeau Bows to Pressure: Vows Tougher Border Controls During High-Stakes Trump Dinner

According to a senior Canadian official on Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to President-elect Donald Trump that Canada would strengthen controls over the lengthy undefended shared border. On Friday, Trudeau took a plane to Florida for dinner with Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods unless Ottawa stops the flow of drugs and people across the border. 75% of Canada’s exports of goods and services go to the US, therefore tariffs would have a negative economic impact.

Sitting at the head table with Trudeau and Trump, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the two men talked about new security measures Canada will be implementing. “We’re going to look to procure, for example, additional drones, additional police helicopters, we’re going to redeploy personnel … we believe that the border is secure,” he stated to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

He continued, promising more information in the days and weeks ahead. “I think it’s important to show Canadians and the Americans that we’re stepping up in a visible and muscular way, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” he said. He stated that because of the close economic ties between the two countries, Canada would keep arguing that tariffs would hurt both countries. He described the dinner conversation as friendly and welcoming, adding, “I’m confident that the Americans will understand that it’s not in their interest… to proceed in this way.” Trump said that his “very productive” discussion with Trudeau on Saturday covered topics such as trade, energy, and the border.

The dinner’s cordial tone stands in contrast to the two men’s prior interactions. In 2022, Trump labeled Trudeau “a far left lunatic” for demanding COVID vaccinations for truck drivers crossing the border. When Trump left a G7 summit in Quebec in June 2018, he criticized Trudeau for being “very dishonest and weak.” After the meal, Trump escorted Trudeau to his vehicle and said, “Stay in touch,” according to LeBlanc. Give me a call at any time. Speak soon.