In late November, Trump said he would slap a 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico and Canada after taking office, citing the unresolved problem of illegal immigration and the influx of drug trafficking into the United States.
In a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, Trump said that Canada had failed the US by allowing large amounts of drugs and illegal migrants to cross the border and by letting the trade deficit between the two countries to reach more than $100 billion, Fox News reported.
Trudeau said such tariffs would ruin Canada's economy, the sources said, adding that Trump then suggested Canada should become the 51st US state, with Trudeau as its governor, if it couldn't handle its economic problems. This response reportedly drew nervous laughter from the Canadian side.
US and Canadian media reported that Trudeau arrived in Florida on an unannounced visit last Friday to meet with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence. The Canadian prime minister reportedly planned to discuss with Trump the possible introduction of tariffs on goods from Canada by the future US administration, as well as migration issues. Trump said his three-hour meeting with Trudeau was "very productive." CBC News reported that Trudeau promised during the meeting that Ottawa would strengthen security along the border between the two countries.