Canada’s provincial and territorial leaders have described their meeting at the White House as "constructive" as they sought to counter US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods.
All 13 premiers traveled to Washington for the first time together, underscoring the gravity of the potential trade dispute. Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports and an additional 10% on energy, though the measures were temporarily paused for 30 days after Canada implemented new border security measures.
Adding to concerns, Trump announced plans on Monday to introduce a 25% tariff on global steel and aluminium imports starting March 12. The move could significantly impact Canada, the largest supplier of these metals to the US.
On Wednesday, the Canadian premiers secured a last-minute meeting with senior White House advisers after a series of discussions with US lawmakers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the conversation “very constructive,” while British Columbia Premier David Eby acknowledged that “there were some very frank moments across the table.”
The Canadian delegation emphasized the deep economic ties between the two nations, highlighting Canada as a reliable supplier of energy, metals, and critical minerals. More than 75% of Canada’s exports go to the US, making the economies highly integrated.
Meanwhile, Canadian Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc held separate talks with key US officials, including Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, and Kevin Hassett, the director of the National Economic Council. He expressed confidence that Canada’s concerns were being heard.
The US administration maintains that the tariffs are necessary to protect national security and American jobs. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the measures aim to prioritize American workers.
In response to border security concerns cited by Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Kevin Brosseau, a former intelligence adviser, as the country’s new fentanyl czar. Brosseau will oversee efforts to combat the flow of fentanyl across the border, even though less than 1% of fentanyl seized at the US border originates from Canada.
Canada has committed $1.3 billion to enhance border security, including deploying nearly 10,000 frontline workers, drones, and Black Hawk helicopters. Officials hope these measures will help prevent the implementation of the tariffs.
The trade standoff comes amid broader US tensions with Mexico and China, as Trump continues to use tariffs as a tool to reshape international trade. While he argues that the measures will protect American industries, economists warn of rising prices on goods such as cars, lumber, and food, potentially fueling a global trade war.