Incoming US President Donald Trump has trolled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shortly after the pair sat down for a crunch trade meeting in Mar-a-Lago.
Trump, 78, who had a frosty friendship with Trudeau during his first stint in the White House, yesterday released an AI-generated picture showing the President-elect clutching Canada’s Maple Leaf flag after reaching the peak of a mountain.
The picture comes after Trump allegedly joked about Canada becoming America’s 51st US state, with the 45th President even suggesting such a situation would see Trudeau relinquish his title of Prime Minister to become Governor of Canada.
The exchange was said to have prompted someone else at the table to weigh in, advising Trump that Canada would be a very liberal state, triggering even more laughter.
Trump trolls Trudeau after crunch trade meeting after joking about making Canada 51st US state
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Trump allegedly suggested that Canada could be split into two states, with one being liberal and the other being much more conservative.
During Friday’s three-hour dinner, Trump reportedly accused Trudeau of failing the US by allowing illegal migrants from more than 70 countries to cross their shared border.
Trump even threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports, with around half of all goods from Canada heading to the US.
When Trudeau warned that such tariffs would devastate Canada’s economy, Trump reportedly retorted: “So your country can’t survive unless it’s ripping off the US to the tune of $100billion?”
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Trump released an interesting AI-generated photo on Truth Social
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Despite the sharp exchanges, Canadian officials characterised the dinner as “very friendly and very positive”.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who accompanied Trudeau, defended the meeting’s outcome.
He said: “The Prime Minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs.”
LeBlanc also emphasised that the pair discussed the potential negative impact on the US economy and consumer affordability,
Justin Trudeau’s approval rating dropped to 28 per cent from 63 per cent when he was first elected GettyHe added: “The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false.”
Despite the reportedly cordial atmosphere, Trump showed no signs of backing down from his tariff threats against Canada.
The President-elect described the talks as “productive” but maintained his firm stance on implementing the proposed 25 per cent tariffs if his border security demands are not met.
The meeting highlighted growing tensions over cross-border migration and trade relations between the two nations as Trump positions himself for a potential return to office.
Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United StatesReutersHowever, while Trump will return to the White House in January, Trudeau’s political position looks increasingly precarious.
Despite winning three successive elections, Trudeau now trails Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives by around 20 per cent.
Trudeau has also faced calls to step down after a series of by-election drubbings.
Canada will hold its federal election in October next year at the latest.