Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, shared that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau succeeded in convincing President-elect Donald Trump and his key cabinet members that the Canada-U.S. border should not be lumped with the Mexico-U.S. border in terms of the flow of drugs and migrants. Hillman explained that during a dinner between Trump and Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago, Trudeau emphasized the significant differences between the two borders, particularly in terms of drug trafficking, especially fentanyl. While some fentanyl is seized at the Canadian border, the vast majority (99.8%) comes from Mexico.
Trudeau also highlighted the stark contrast in migrant numbers, with much fewer arrests at the Canadian border compared to the Mexican one. Hillman emphasized that Canada is taking steps to enhance border security, including investing in drones, helicopters, and more law enforcement personnel, and referenced an agreement between Canada and the U.S. that allows migrants crossing illegally into the U.S. to be returned to Canada, unlike the Mexico-U.S. situation.
The dinner also addressed the U.S.-Canada trade deficit, with Hillman noting that Canada’s exports to the U.S. are largely energy products. Although Trump remained firm on the potential for tariffs, Hillman said the talks were productive and that Trump and Trudeau maintain a good rapport. Canada, as the U.S.’s top trading partner, plays a crucial role in U.S. energy and trade, with billions of dollars crossing the border each day.
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