Washington DC, US – December 10: US President-elect Donald Trump has sparked headlines by referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “Governor of the Great State of Canada” during a post on Truth Social. The remark followed a dinner meeting between the two leaders at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on November 30.
“It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in-depth talks on tariffs and trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The Meeting and Trade Discussions
The meeting came just days after Trump announced plans to implement significant tariff hikes on goods from Canada and Mexico as part of his administration’s agenda. Trump specifically proposed a 25% tariff on all imports from the two neighboring countries.
Trudeau described the dinner as “an excellent conversation” but refrained from elaborating on whether tariffs were a major point of discussion or how the meeting affected their bilateral relationship.
Fentanyl Crisis and Trade Deficit
Trump later shared additional details about the meeting, calling it “very productive.” He mentioned discussions on several key topics, including the fentanyl and drug crisis, fair trade deals, and the large trade deficit between the US and Canada.
“We discussed many important topics that will require both countries to work together to address, like the fentanyl and drug crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of illegal immigration, fair trade deals that do not jeopardize American workers, and the massive trade deficit the US has with Canada,” Trump stated.
Context and Reactions
Trump’s lighthearted yet controversial choice of words referring to Trudeau as a “Governor” has drawn attention on social media, with mixed reactions from the public and analysts alike. While some viewed it as a humorous jab, others criticized the comment as undermining the significance of US-Canada relations.
As Trump prepares to assume office, his firm stance on tariffs and trade policies is expected to set the tone for the US-Canada partnership. The coming months will reveal how these discussions translate into concrete policy changes affecting both nations.
