Trudeau Meets Opposition to Discuss Tariff Threats

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is preparing to meet with opposition leaders to address escalating tensions with the U.S. following President-elect Donald Trump's threats to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports. This meeting aims to develop a unified strategy amidst Trump's insistence on tariffs, which he argues are necessary to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Canada, which sends 77% of its exports to the U.S., is particularly vulnerable to such tariffs, which could severely impact its economy. Trudeau's previous 'Team Canada' approach during Trump's first term has proven effective, but his current minority government faces challenges as a new election looms. Recent discussions between Trudeau and Trump yielded no assurances against the tariffs, prompting concerns about the ramifications for Canadian trade. Canadian officials are working to highlight the differences between the border situations of Canada and Mexico to mitigate the potential economic fallout.