Conservative MP Jamil Jivani meets U.S. VP-elect amid Trump's tariff threats

A Conservative member of Parliament has tapped a longtime friendship to connect with Donald Trump's inner circle as Canada prepares for the president-elect's return to the White House next month amid threats of devastating tariffs. 

Jamil Jivani posted a picture on social media Saturday with vice-president-elect JD Vance and British Conservative Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch. A source with knowledge of the gathering said the three had dinner in Arlington, Va., not far from Washington.

They discussed the importance of building strong relationships between all three countries, the source said. 

Vance and Jivani also discussed the Canadian politician's petition to protect Christians, and the issue in recent years of some churches being set on fire. Vance posted support of the petition on social media last week.

The Canadian Conservative MP for Durham and American senator for Ohio have been friends since they both attended Yale. Jivani has previously written about their close relationship and speaking at Vance's wedding. 

It's the first time Jivani has publicly posted about meeting with his friend since the November election that solidified Vance as Trump's second-in-command for the next administration.

The source said Jivani invited the vice president-elect to come to his Ontario riding in the new year and there's a goal for Vance to visit Bowmanville, Ont.

Trump's tariff threat looms large

The display of cross-border contact comes as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to navigate a response to Trump's tariff threats against America's closest neighbours ahead of the looming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.

A general election must be held by October next year, but it could come sooner if the Liberals lose the confidence of the House. Whoever wins will be in charge of the 2026 review of the trilateral pact.

Polling has long shown the Conservatives leading against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's governing Liberals. 

As opposition leader, Poilievre largely avoided any association with or criticism of Trump and the Republicans in the lead-up to the American election.

But Trump's threats of 25 per cent tariffs, which economists say would be very damaging to the Canadian economy, have forced Poilievre to respond. 

Poilievre initially described the threats of duties as "unjustified," but later criticized Trudeau for being weak.

At a press conference on Sunday, Poilievre said "every single Conservative would tell every single American that a tariff on Canada is a bad idea. We need to put Canada first."

Trudeau met with other federal party leaders after his unprecedented surprise dinner with Trump at the Republican's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. 

The prime minister asked the other leaders not to negotiate against Canada in public by saying things like the border is broken, while also amplifying the message that Trump's tariffs would harm the American economy too. 

But, in response, Poilievre said Trudeau had lost control of crucial government files, like the budget and the border, and put Canada in a weak position. 

Trudeau accused Poilievre of being unhelpful in his criticisms when it comes to dealing with the incoming Trump administration. Trudeau said there's a long-standing tradition that when the country comes under threat in some way, Canadians pull together to defend it.

Poilievre responded by saying Trudeau is driving Canadian jobs south with the planned increase of the carbon levy this spring.