Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Florida on Friday to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, seeking to address Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods. This high-stakes meeting was confirmed by a source to the BBC but was not listed on Trudeau's public schedule.

The unpublicized trip comes after Trump announced his intention to implement tariffs on goods entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico upon his return to office in January. This proposal, aimed at addressing border security issues, has raised economic concerns in Canada. Trudeau emphasized the potential harm such tariffs could inflict not only on Canada but also on American consumers and industries.

Trudeau landed at Palm Beach International Airport on Friday evening and joined Trump for a private dinner. U.S. media reports indicate that the dinner was also attended by key figures from Trump’s transition team, including Howard Lutnick, Doug Burgum, and Mike Waltz, nominees for commerce secretary, interior secretary, and national security adviser, respectively.

Speaking earlier in the day from Prince Edward Island, Trudeau highlighted the shared economic achievements between the two nations, including the successful renegotiation of a major trade pact during Trump’s previous term. “We rolled up our sleeves and were able to create jobs on both sides of the border,” he said, adding that he looked forward to “great” conversations with Trump.

In preparation for potential tariff impacts, Trudeau convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday with Canada’s provincial and territorial leaders. The prime minister emphasized a “Team Canada” approach to present a united front in discussions with the U.S. Several provincial leaders have already voiced strong opposition to the tariffs, citing risks to key industries such as oil, gas, and automotive manufacturing.

Canada, which sends approximately 75% of its exports to the U.S., shares deeply integrated supply chains with its southern neighbor. Analysts suggest that Trump’s tariff threats may serve as a negotiating tactic rather than a definitive policy move. Nevertheless, Trudeau’s proactive diplomacy underscores the urgency of mitigating potential economic fallout.

While Trump’s focus on border security has centered primarily on Mexico, Canadian officials acknowledge the importance of strengthening northern border security as well. Recent U.S. Border Patrol data reveals significantly lower migrant apprehensions at the northern border compared to the southern border, with 23,700 and 1.53 million apprehensions, respectively, during the 2024 fiscal year.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also engaged in a phone call with Trump this week to address similar concerns. Like Canada, Mexico faces the possibility of a 25% tariff unless it works to align its border policies with U.S. demands.

Trudeau’s Florida meeting is the latest in a series of efforts to preserve the strong economic ties between Canada and the U.S. The discussions may set the tone for the bilateral relationship as both nations navigate Trump’s proposed policies. Trudeau remains committed to advocating for solutions that protect Canadian jobs and promote mutual economic growth.