OTTAWA — Canada’s 13 premiers are in Washington, D.C. today seeking to convince Republicans that U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose stiff tariffs on Canada is not in their best interests. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Brussels meeting with European allies as Canada looks to shore up support against those tariffs.
Here’s the latest (all times eastern):
12:30 p.m.
Canada’s new “fentanyl czar” says he’s met with many people working at the border during his first day in the post, and he looks forward to getting to work.
Joined by Public Safety Minister David McGuinty in Lansdowne, Ont., Kevin Brosseau says collaboration will be a “fundamental element” of his job.
He says Canadians should be committed to limiting the “scourge” of fentanyl and he hopes to get to Washington as soon as possible to talk with his American counterparts.
McGuinty says Canada’s sovereignty is not up for discussion and Canadians need to remind Americans there’s “a lot at stake.”
12 p.m.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says both Canada and the U.S. would be hurt in a trade war and the premiers are trying to warn Americans that the threat is serious.
He says businesses, the market and citizens “hate uncertainty” and Canada needs to make a deal with Trump as soon as possible.
11:45 a.m.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault says the priority should be to create an all-encompassing agreement with the U.S.
He says nothing should be left off the table, including export tariffs.
8:30 a.m.
Ford says premiers are making the case against all tariffs to business groups, lobbyists and Republican lawmakers. They are not meeting with Trump himself.
It’s the first time all 13 premiers have been in the U.S. capital together.
6:30 a.m.
Defence Minister Bill Blair says Trump’s comments about making Canada the 51st state are not a “real threat.” Blair is in Brussels with Trudeau today meeting with NATO allies and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. He and Trudeau had breakfast with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte today.
Blair says Canadians are rightly offended by Trump’s repeated comments but he does not see them as a serious threat.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2025
The Canadian Press
