High-Stakes Diplomacy: Canada-U.S. Trade Tariffs Meeting

Canada's finance and foreign affairs ministers will meet with aides to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to discuss potential trade tariffs. The meeting aims to highlight the negative impacts of proposed tariffs and address issues of fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration.

Canada's newly appointed finance minister, Dominic LeBlanc, along with Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, are set to engage in critical discussions in Florida with aides to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. On the agenda are potential trade tariffs that could significantly impact Canada-U.S. relations.

Trump has issued a stern warning about imposing tariffs on Canadian imports, contingent on Canada reducing the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the United States. LeBlanc's office has expressed concerns over the detrimental effects a 25% tariff could have on both nations' economies and plans to bring these to light during Friday's discussions.

The high-stakes meeting will also tackle Canada's strategies to curb fentanyl trafficking and unlawful migration. Meanwhile, the diplomatic tension is exacerbated by Trump's derogatory comments about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, heightening political pressure on Trudeau's already strained leadership at home.

(With inputs from agencies.)