Did Justin Trudeau’s meeting with Donald Trump break a 225-year-old U.S law?

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago likely raised questions about a 225-year-old U.S. law, the Logan Act. The surprise dinner meeting covered a range of contentious issues including trade, border security, fentanyl, NATO, the war in Ukraine, pipelines, and the upcoming G7 meeting. Despite the potential violation of the Logan Act, experts believe it is highly improbable that Trump will face any consequences.

The Logan Act, enacted in 1799, prohibits private U.S. citizens from engaging in talks or negotiations with foreign governments without the permission of the U.S. government. While the law has rarely been enforced and has only led to two indictments without any convictions, it remains a political tool that can be used to criticize individuals for engaging in unauthorized foreign policy discussions.

Julian Ku, director of international programs at Hofstra University, stated that Trudeau is not liable under the Logan Act as it only applies to U.S. citizens. However, there is a possibility that Trump may have violated the law due to his status as president-elect during the meeting. Despite this, legal experts believe that any potential prosecution under the Logan Act is highly unlikely given the historical reluctance to enforce the law.

Fen Hampson, chancellor’s professor at Carleton University, also expressed doubts about the enforcement of the Logan Act in this case. He noted that the law has rarely been invoked and may not apply to disputes initiated by Trump through public statements like threats of tariffs. Similarly, Renan Levine of the University of Toronto emphasized that while the meeting may have technically violated the Logan Act, it is unlikely to result in any legal consequences for Trump.

In response to inquiries about the meeting, the prime minister’s office highlighted the importance of collaboration and strengthening the relationship between Canada and the United States. Despite the potential legal implications of the meeting, both Trudeau and Trump described it as productive and focused on the mutual interests of Canadians and Americans.

Ultimately, while the Logan Act remains in effect, experts believe that it is unlikely to be enforced in the case of Trudeau’s meeting with Trump. The discussion around the potential violation of the law highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the legal frameworks that govern interactions between foreign leaders.