Canada will deploy helicopters, drones and additional personnel to its border with the U.S. to enhance immigration security, a Canadian official announced Monday, Dec. 2. The move comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Donald Trump, who threatened to impose high tariffs unless Canada took stronger action to secure the border.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the decision, saying the government would soon deploy helicopters and drones along the U.S.-Canada border. Trump’s concerns over fentanyl production and illegal immigration influenced the decision.
Trump and Trudeau met over the holiday weekend. The president-elect threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports if Canada does not act to curb the flow of drugs and migrants into the U.S.
LeBlanc told CBC News that Canada is taking swift action, with plans to procure additional drones and police helicopters and to redeploy personnel. He added that Canada has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in border security, noting that the border is secure. He confirmed the country shares common goals with the U.S. in increasing security.
While the U.S. expressed concerns about the increase in drugs and undocumented immigrants, Canada highlighted its concern over the smuggling of firearms from the U.S. into Canada.
In a separate discussion, LeBlanc said he spoke with Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick for treasury secretary, about the potential economic impact of the proposed tariffs.
Trudeau said the tariffs could “kill the Canadian economy,” as the U.S. is Canada’s largest trading partner. American imports account for about 75% of Canada’s exports.
Discussions between the incoming Trump administration and Canada’s government remain ongoing.
