Two of Canada’s top ministers headed to President-elect Trump’s Florida home on Thursday to discuss border security and trade as the president-elect’s inauguration approaches.
New Finance Minister Dominique Leblanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly are scheduled to travel to Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday for talks this week, Leblanc’s press secretary, Jean-Sébastien Comeau, told The Associated Press.
Comeau said LeBlanc, along with Jolie, will meet with President Trump’s next “border czar” Tom Homan after Christmas to discuss Canada’s plans to secure the border as part of significant tariff avoidance.
The spokesperson said that LeBlanc and Jolie “reviewed the discussions that took place during the prime minister’s meeting with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month, as well as the positive meeting the two ministers had with Tom Homan earlier this year.” I look forward to continuing the discussion based on this.” month. “
Trump proposes making Canada 51st state after Trudeau says tariffs will kill economy: Sources
US President Donald Trump (left) speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the plenary session of the NATO summit at the Globe Hotel in Watford, northeast of London. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)
As well as discussing border security, Canadian leaders also want to center their talks on fentanyl trafficking and the “negative effects” of President Trump’s tariffs on goods.
“Ministers will focus on Canada’s efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration, the measures outlined in the Canada Border Plan, and the negative impact that the imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods will have on both Canada and the United States. ”’ Comeau added in a statement.
President Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian imports when he took office in January unless Canada reduced immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a meeting at Winfield House in London, December 3, 2019 (Getty Images)
President Trump made derogatory remarks about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media, calling his ally “Canadian Governor Justin Trudeau.”
President Trump comments on political turmoil in “Canada’s great province,” trolls “Governor Justin Trudeau”
The Christmas Day statement came after President Trump suggested to Prime Minister Trudeau that if tariffs on Canada would destroy the economy, perhaps Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
Canadian flag. (Bourne Ridley/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, President Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Canadian imports has rattled Canada, which is highly integrated with the U.S. economy.
Approximately 60% of US crude oil imports come from Canada, as do 85% of US electricity imports.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Every day, goods and services worth $3.6 billion in Canada or $2.7 billion in the United States cross our borders. Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states.
FOX News Digital has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and X. @s_rumpfwhitten.
