
President-elect Donald Trump playfully referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “Governor” of the “Great State of Canada” during ongoing discussions about tariffs and trade policy. Trump’s remarks, shared on Truth Social, come as Canada faces pressure to address U.S. concerns over illegal drugs and trade imbalances.
“It was a pleasure to meet with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada,” Trump wrote. “Our discussions on tariffs and trade will deliver spectacular results for everyone involved!”
The lighthearted comment comes as Trump warns Canada to take stronger action against illicit drugs entering the U.S., including 43 pounds of fentanyl seized at the Canadian border last year. Canadian leaders, however, argue that their contributions to U.S. trade far outweigh the issues Trump has raised.
Trudeau described the meeting as “productive” but cautioned that Trump’s proposed tariffs could increase costs for American consumers. “Tariffs on Canadian goods won’t make life more affordable for Americans,” Trudeau said, defending Canada’s economic partnership with the U.S.
Canada’s U.S. ambassador, Kristen Hillman, echoed those sentiments, pointing out that 77% of Canadian exports go to the U.S., with $170 billion in energy products sold last year. Hillman emphasized the need to view trade balances through the lens of Canada’s smaller economy.
Trump’s remarks, paired with an A.I. image of himself holding a Canadian flag, have drawn mixed reactions. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc dismissed the comments as jokes, signaling a positive outlook for U.S.-Canada relations as Trump gears up for his second term.
While Trump’s humor dominates headlines, the underlying issues of trade fairness and border security remain at the forefront of his agenda, setting the stage for further negotiations.