Two top Canadian ministers, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, are set to meet with incoming “border czar” Tom Homan in Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss border security and trade as President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches. The meeting focuses on Canada’s plan to secure the border and avoid paying tariffs.
The discussions will also center on fentanyl trafficking and the negative impacts of Trump’s tariffs on goods. The Canadian government is concerned about the potential effects of Trump’s tariffs on its economy, as about 60% of U.S. crude oil imports come from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports.
The meeting is a follow-up to a previous discussion between LeBlanc and Joly with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago and a call with Homan earlier this month. The goal is to build on those discussions and work together to address issues.
The talks are also seen as a chance for the Canadian government to alleviate concerns about the tariffs and the impact they could have on both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states, with nearly $3.6 billion in goods and services crossing the border daily.
