Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Remarks Against Trump Tariffs

Ottowa (Special to ZennieReport.com) – A listing of the press releases the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued on the matter of the tariffs imposed by President Trump. Since President Trump issued the executive order on trade tariffs, Mr. Trudeau’s press releases have tripled in number over his usual rate. As you will see, the overall message is that the Canadian PM has gathered partners from Mexico to the United Kingdom against the Trump trade threat.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum

February 2, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Sheinbaum discussed the deep people-to-people ties, the strong trade and investment relationship between Canada and Mexico, and the importance of preserving North American competitiveness and prosperity. They spoke about the imposition of U.S. tariffs on both countries, as well as their respective efforts to enhance border security and combat the production and distribution of illegal drugs. The leaders agreed to continue working together in areas of common interest and to enhance the strong bilateral relations between Canada and Mexico.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Sheinbaum agreed to remain in close contact.

Prime Minister announces Canada-U.S. Economic Summit

February 5, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

While the tariffs proposed by the United States have been paused for 30 days, this is an important opportunity to build a long-term prosperity agenda for Canada. One that is resilient, that breaks down barriers between provinces and territories, and that is diversified in global trade.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit, a landmark event hosted with members of the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations to galvanize business and investment across Canada. The Summit will take place in Toronto, Ontario, on February 7, 2025.

The Canada-U.S. Economic Summit will build on the work of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and bring together Canadian leaders in trade, business, public policy, and organized labour. Using their sectoral expertise, the leaders will explore ways to grow Canada’s economy, make it easier to build and trade within the country, diversify export markets, and rejuvenate productivity. The Summit will see increased co-ordination, co-operation, and interoperability between partners, including through issue- and sector-specific conversations.

Canada is the ninth-largest economy in the world. We have world-class talent, critical minerals, natural resources, a dynamic tech ecosystem, and an ambition to grow. The Canada-U.S. Economic Summit is our ambition in action – the next stride in fully unlocking our economic growth.

The Canadian government, Canadian businesses, Canadian organized labour, Canadian civil society, and tens of millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast are aligned and united with the same mission – building a stronger Canada, with more jobs, bigger paycheques, and long-term prosperity.

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“The Canada-U.S. Economic Summit is Team Canada at its best. We are bringing together partners across business, civil society, and organized labour to find ways to galvanize our economy, create more jobs and bigger paycheques, make it easier to build and trade within our borders, and diversify export markets. We want businesses, investors, and workers to choose Canada.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

Canada and the U.S. are each other’s largest trade partners, with nearly $3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services crossing the border each day in 2023.
Backed by an investment of $1.3 billion and built around five pillars, Canada’s Border Plan is bolstering border security, strengthening our immigration system, and contributing to ensuring Canada’s future prosperity.
Last year, more than $530 billion worth of goods and services moved across provincial and territorial borders, representing almost 20 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product.
On January 17, 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the first meeting of the newly established Council on Canada-U.S. Relations. The Council, which comprises leaders in business, innovation, and policy, will provide advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on issues related to Canada-U.S. relations, including the threat of tariffs.
The Committee on Internal Trade consists of all federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for internal trade, and is responsible for supervising the implementation of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This includes providing oversight over a number of CFTA working groups, assisting in the resolution of disputes, approving the annual operating budget of the Internal Trade Secretariat, and considering any other matter that may affect the operation of the CFTA.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers on the Canada-U.S. relationship and economic prosperity

February 5, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Anita Anand, and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, met virtually with Canada’s premiers to discuss the Canada-U.S. relationship and economic prosperity.

The Prime Minister provided an update on his recent conversations with the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, during which the President decided to pause the implementation of U.S. tariffs against Canadian goods for a period of 30 days. The Prime Minister and the premiers reiterated their determination to continue engaging with U.S. partners at the federal, state, and local levels to prevent the imposition of any tariffs on Canadian exports and emphasize the benefits of Canada-U.S. co-operation. The Prime Minister welcomed the premiers’ upcoming mission to Washington, D.C., under the auspices of the Council of the Federation, as a significant opportunity for engagement and advocacy.

The Prime Minister and Minister LeBlanc discussed progress in the implementation of Canada’s $1.3 billion border plan. The Government of Canada has been redoubling its efforts to uphold border security with new helicopters and technology, enhanced co-ordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies, increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl, and nearly 10,000 frontline personnel working on protecting the border. This Monday, the Prime Minister announced further commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, and launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. The Prime Minister also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, backed with an investment of $200 million. The Prime Minister thanked premiers for their ongoing efforts to complement Canada’s border plan and committed to continue working in close partnership as the Government of Canada implements the recently announced new measures.

With the current pause in the proposed U.S. tariffs, First Ministers recognized the important opportunity to build a long-term prosperity agenda for Canada. They welcomed the positive conversations that took place at the meeting of the Committee on Internal Trade in Toronto, Ontario, on January 31, 2025. First Ministers endorsed the recommendations of Internal Trade Ministers to strengthen the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, advance mutual recognition and labour mobility, and explore opportunities to open new domestic markets in key sectors. They looked forward to making progress on these important priorities.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the upcoming Canada-U.S. Economic Summit that the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations will hold in Toronto on February 7, 2025. Building on the Council’s work to date, the Summit will bring together Canadian leaders in trade, business, public policy, and organized labour to explore ways to grow Canada’s economy, make it easier to build and trade within the country, diversify export markets, and rejuvenate productivity.

The Prime Minister and the premiers agreed to remain in close contact and to continue standing up for Canadian consumers, jobs, and businesses. They agreed to reconvene in two weeks’ time, or sooner if necessary, to discuss next steps in Canada’s engagement with the United States.

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Canada-European Union Leaders’ Meeting

February 12, 2025
Brussels, Belgium

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met in Brussels, Belgium, on February 12, 2025. They highlighted the close relationship between Canada and the European Union (EU), which is underpinned by a Strategic Partnership Agreement and a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The leaders discussed the importance of working together to promote global economic security and stability. They highlighted the strong trade and investment relationship between Canada and the EU, and agreed on the importance of renewing efforts to advance and diversify trade.

They emphasized the importance of Canada-EU co-operation – including in the context of Canada’s G7 Presidency – to address current opportunities and challenges in a complex, competitive, and unpredictable world.

Together, Canada and the EU will continue supporting an inclusive, rules-based multilateral system anchored in the principles of the United Nations Charter, and uphold the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders as fundamental tenets of international law.

In the run-up to the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression. They spoke about developments in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza and Syria. They welcomed last month’s ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas, calling on all parties to implement it, and underscored their commitment to a two-state solution. They also stressed the importance of an inclusive Syrian-led political governance structure.

The leaders discussed global trade, including expected tariffs by the United States. They also discussed other shared priorities and agreed to remain in close touch.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte

February 12, 2025
Brussels, Belgium

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Mark Rutte. He was joined by the Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair.

The leaders underscored the importance of unity amongst NATO Allies in responding to global security challenges, strengthening maritime and arctic security co-operation, and addressing regional instability. They also reaffirmed NATO’s role in ensuring global stability.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Secretary General Rutte reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion. The leaders discussed NATO’s role in supporting Ukraine’s defence and underscored the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia. They emphasized that there can be no sustainable peace in Europe without security for Ukraine and that any peaceful outcome to the dispute must involve Ukraine.

The Prime Minister and the Secretary General emphasized their commitment to NATO’s core mission of collective defence and stability. They also agreed on the importance of adapting to current and future security challenges amid rising uncertainty in the international order. Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the Alliance and increasing defence spending.

The leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

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Strengthening transatlantic partnerships and securing Canada’s AI advantage

February 12, 2025
Brussels, Belgium

Working together, Canada and its transatlantic partners have created good-paying jobs for our peoples, strengthened our economies, and advanced progress on key priorities, including climate change and international security. With increasing geopolitical instability and economic disruptions, including proposed U.S. tariffs, it is critical to accelerate these partnerships, now and into the future.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded a successful visit to Paris, France, and to Brussels, Belgium, where he strengthened Canada’s ties with transatlantic partners and made progress on shared priorities, including artificial intelligence (AI).

In Paris, the Prime Minister participated in the AI Action Summit, co-chaired by France and India, where he engaged with business and policy leaders on how we unlock opportunities and growth for Canadians. As part of our 2025 G7 Presidency, the Prime Minister underlined Canada’s commitment to responsibly power, adopt, and share AI. This includes helping partners access clean and reliable energy to power AI, finding ways to leverage AI and build more reliable energy grids, supporting small and medium-sized businesses’ use of AI to improve their productivity, and sharing the AI revolution with the world so our prosperity remains inclusive.

At the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau signed a joint Leaders’ Declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI, which reinforces Canada’s approach to AI development and ensures it aligns with human rights, public interest, and environmental protection. The Prime Minister also met with over a dozen CEOs and leading AI business leaders to position Canada as an ideal partner for innovation and investment while helping deepen Canada’s commercial relations with its partners across the U.S. and the European Union (EU).

While in Paris, the Prime Minister also chaired a roundtable on infrastructure and energy requirements for AI and participated in the closing ceremony of a ministerial meeting of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, of which Canada is a founding member.

In Brussels, Prime Minister Trudeau took part in a Canada-EU Leaders’ Meeting with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders reaffirmed the strong ties between Canada and the EU and discussed the progress made in recent years for the benefit of people on both sides of the Atlantic. This includes a strengthened trade relationship under the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which continues to create significant opportunities for businesses and good-paying jobs for workers in Canada and the EU. They also discussed the imposition of U.S. tariffs as well as Canada and the EU’s responses.

At the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building on the Canada-EU relationship and continuing to deliver results on a range of shared priorities. This includes promoting global economic security and stability, strengthening bilateral and global trade and investment – including in response to expected tariffs by the U.S. – defending the rule of law, advancing defence and security co-operation, and supporting Ukraine. They also discussed developments in the Middle East, including in Gaza and Syria, stressing the importance of an inclusive Syrian-led political governance structure.

While in Brussels, the Prime Minister also met with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Mark Rutte. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to working with NATO Allies to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security and continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression. He also highlighted Canada’s contributions to NATO’s collective defence efforts across Europe, including through Operation REASSURANCE.

Shared challenges require shared solutions. By working together, we can make the world safer, create good-paying jobs for our peoples, harness the potential of the greatest innovations, and ensure that growth is inclusive. As a leader in AI and a steadfast member of the NATO Alliance, and as part of our G7 Presidency this year, Canada is taking action to create a better, safer, and more prosperous world.

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“During my trip to Paris and Brussels, I had one message – if you’re looking for a strong, reliable, and trustworthy partner, Canada is it. We’re advancing progress on AI, strengthening our defence alliances, creating good-paying jobs, and making sure businesses, innovators, and partners choose Canada.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

This was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 11th official visit to France.
Held on February 10 and 11, 2025, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris was the third global summit of its kind. It followed the AI Seoul Summit, which Prime Minister Trudeau attended virtually last year, and the AI Safety Summit that was hosted by the UK in 2023.
Entitled “Inclusive and Sustainable AI for People and the Planet”, the AI Action Summit joint Leaders’ Declaration is focused on the inclusive governance of AI that reflects the public interest, human rights, the environment, and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also highlights the need for inclusive dialogue and co-operation on AI governance and alignment with ongoing governance efforts by the UN Global Digital Compact, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the network of safety institutes.
Launched in 2020, the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) supports the development and use of AI based on human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth, while seeking to advance the UN SDGs. As a founding member of the GPAI, Canada is working closely with international partners to ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly to the benefit of all citizens.
Canada was the first country in the world to introduce a national AI strategy. Since 2016, the Government of Canada has announced over $4.4 billion to support AI and digital research infrastructure, including $2.4 billion announced in Budget 2024 to scale-up AI compute infrastructure, support AI adoption programs, and launch an AI Safety Institute.
In November 2024, the Government of Canada launched the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute to bolster Canada’s capacity to address AI safety risks, further positioning the country as a leader in the safe and responsible development and adoption of AI technologies.
Last year, Canada and France signed the Canada-France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence, reiterating our countries’ commitment to the responsible, safe use of AI that respects human rights and democratic values.
In 2024, France was Canada’s third-largest merchandise export market in the European Union (EU) and its 10th-largest trading partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $14.1 billion.
During his visit to France, the Prime Minister also met with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
This was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s sixth official visit to Belgium.
With its 27 Member States, the EU is Canada’s second-largest destination for merchandise exports, after the United States of America. In 2024, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and the EU reached a total of $119 billion.
The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed in 2016 and has been provisionally applied since 2017. Since 2016, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the EU has grown by 58 per cent.
Canada is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Alliance is a cornerstone of Canadian security and defence policy and an important platform for Canada’s contributions to international peace and security.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with premiers to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and Arctic security

February 20, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, and Canada’s Fentanyl Czar, Kevin Brosseau, met virtually with Canada’s premiers to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and Arctic security.

The Prime Minister updated the premiers on Canada’s fight against fentanyl and the continued implementation of Canada’s Border Plan since their last meeting on February 5. These measures include listing seven criminal organizations as terrorist entities; launching new anti-money laundering measures; tackling fentanyl trafficking; modernizing the regulatory framework for banning precursors to prevent their illegal importation and use; establishing a joint Canada-U.S. task force on organized crime; issuing a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl; and ensuring 24/7 surveillance of the border by deploying helicopters, drones, and 10,000 border personnel.

The Prime Minister and the premiers discussed the evolving tariff threat from the U.S., including on aluminum and steel and the possibility of reciprocal tariffs. The premiers reflected on last week’s Council of the Federation mission to Washington, D.C., and shared takeaways from their meetings with U.S. partners. Federal, provincial, and territorial leaders agreed to continue their advocacy with U.S. partners to prevent the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods, which threaten the well-being of families, workers, and businesses in Canada and the U.S. alike. The Prime Minister and the premiers discussed the progress being made to remove barriers to internal trade and labour mobility in Canada, which will make it easier to buy and sell Canadian goods within the country and help strengthen our economy. Team Canada is united in our commitment to protect Canadian jobs and defend Canada’s economic interests.

The Prime Minister and Minister Blair shared updates on Arctic security, and invited the Premier of the Yukon, Ranj Pillai, to share his perspectives as Chair of the Northern Premiers’ Forum. The Prime Minister underscored that defending Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic is essential to our national security, the defence of North America, and NATO’s core mission of collective defence and security. Minister Blair highlighted the Canadian Armed Forces’ important work to defend the Arctic and noted recent commitments to further strengthen Arctic security. Our North, Strong and Free, the $73 billion defence policy update the federal government launched in 2024, includes major investments in the North, such as airborne early warning and control aircraft, specialized maritime sensors, new tactical helicopters, a new satellite ground station in the Arctic, and Northern operational support hubs, in addition to a separate $38.6 billion investment in NORAD modernization.

The Prime Minister thanked the premiers for their ongoing advocacy and emphasized that maintaining a united front will remain critical in the weeks ahead. The Prime Minister and the premiers expressed their gratitude for the leadership and service of the Premier of Prince Edward Island, Dennis King, and wished him well in his future endeavours.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers to discuss the Canada-U.S. relationship and Canada’s fight against fentanyl

February 26, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met virtually with Canada’s premiers to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and Canada’s fight against fentanyl. The Prime Minister was joined by the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, the Minister of Public Safety, David J. McGuinty, and Canada’s Fentanyl Czar, Kevin Brosseau. The Prime Minister and the premiers welcomed the new Premier of Prince Edward Island, Rob Lantz, to the First Ministers’ table and thanked the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Furey, for his contributions.

Minister McGuinty provided an update on Canada’s fight against fentanyl, noting progress on the ongoing implementation of Canada’s Border Plan as well as his and Mr. Brosseau’s recent conversations with counterparts in the U.S. He highlighted concrete actions Canada has taken to detect, disrupt, and dismantle the fentanyl trade and protect our communities, including by adding new and expanded detection and interdiction capacity at border entries. Canada’s Border Plan also includes working with provinces, territories, and local law enforcement to create three regional hubs that bring federal, provincial, and local law enforcement officers together to support and focus enforcement capacity and intercept organized crime and illegal drugs faster. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the federal government will strengthen its efforts to eradicate this deadly substance from our communities.

First Ministers discussed the ongoing threat of unjustified U.S. tariffs, and they expressed their unanimous opposition to any tariffs on Canadian goods, including aluminum and steel. The Prime Minister stated that he remains hopeful that tariffs will not be imposed, but he reiterated that Canada stands ready to respond if needed.

The Prime Minister thanked the premiers for their ongoing engagement and contributions as part of a Team Canada approach. Federal, provincial, and territorial leaders noted that tariff-free trade between Canada and the U.S. has lowered prices, created jobs, generated economic growth, and increased the standard of living for Canadians and Americans alike. The Prime Minister and the premiers reiterated their commitment to preventing the U.S. from imposing any tariffs on Canadian goods and to removing barriers to internal trade and labour mobility within Canada.

The Prime Minister and the premiers agreed to remain united and in close contact as they confront threats to Canadian jobs and prosperity.