President-elect Donald Trump took a jab at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week, referring to him as the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.” This comment, made in an early morning social media post, follows a dinner between the two leaders at Trump’s Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, in late November. The meeting was part of an effort to discuss trade and tariffs as Trump prepared to take office in January 2025.
The context of this quip is rooted in the precarious trade relationship between the United States and Canada. As one of the largest trading partners of the US, Canada sends about 75% of its total exports to its southern neighbor, creating a deeply integrated supply chain. However, this relationship has been strained by Trump’s tough talk on tariffs, particularly his threats to impose a blanket 25% tariff on Canadian goods. These threats were viewed as a tactic to renegotiate trade deals and bring about better terms for American businesses and workers.
In his post, Trump expressed optimism about the future of US-Canada trade, suggesting that the “in-depth talks on Tariffs and Trade” between him and Trudeau would yield “truly spectacular results for all.” The dinner at Mar-a-Lago was clearly aimed at addressing these concerns and finding common ground ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Trudeau’s visit was prompted by the threat of tariffs, with the Canadian prime minister traveling to Florida to meet the president-elect and discuss the implications for the bilateral relationship.
Trudeau’s visit followed several contentious remarks from Trump on the campaign trail, where he frequently targeted Canada’s trade practices, calling them unfair and detrimental to the American economy. The prime minister’s arrival was an attempt to stave off potential tariffs, which could have severe economic repercussions for Canada. The trade talks were, therefore, not just about tariffs but also about the broader trade relationship between the two countries, including supply chain dependencies and strategic economic interests.
During his post-dinner remarks, Trudeau outlined Canada’s approach to handling potential tariffs. He stated that Canada was considering its “right” response to the threat of tariffs but had not yet decided on the exact course of action. Trudeau emphasized that Canada would not “freak out” over the tariff threats, indicating a measured approach to negotiation rather than immediate retaliation. He referenced the retaliatory tariffs Ottawa imposed on US goods, such as beer kegs, whiskey, and orange juice, during Trump’s first term when similar threats were made over steel and aluminum tariffs. These measures were seen as politically impactful and aimed at putting pressure on the US to rethink its stance on trade.
Trudeau’s comments were echoed by Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc, who accompanied him to the dinner. Leblanc noted that Trump’s remarks were largely intended as jokes, emphasizing that the comment about Canada becoming the 51st state was “in no way a serious comment.” This remark was intended to downplay any serious implications behind Trump’s jab, suggesting it was more of a light-hearted poke than a strategic comment.
The meeting at Mar-a-Lago also highlighted the broader context of US-Mexico relations, with Trump threatening similar tariffs on Mexico unless the two countries secured their shared borders. The differing approaches to border security at the US-Canada border compared to the southern border were discussed, with Trudeau emphasizing the significantly lower number of crossings and fentanyl seizures at the US-Canada border as compared to the southern border.
As Trudeau prepares for a second meeting with the leaders of Canada’s provinces and territories, the focus remains on how to approach the negotiations with the US. Trudeau is expected to discuss a coordinated plan to handle the trade negotiations and potential tariffs with the provinces, aiming for a unified response from Canada. The “governor” quip serves as a reminder of the sometimes tenuous relationship between the two neighbors, even as they continue to work together to find solutions that benefit both countries economically.
In conclusion, Trump’s comment about Trudeau being the “governor” of Canada is more than just a joke it underscores the challenges in US-Canada trade relations and the ongoing efforts to renegotiate agreements that impact millions of jobs and businesses on both sides of the border. As both leaders prepare for what could be a tumultuous period of trade negotiations, the focus will likely remain on finding common ground amidst the political and economic pressures that define their relationship.
