Canada’s premiers are set to meet in Washington, D.C. nearly a month after President-elect Trump takes office to discuss the impact of his tariffs on Canadians.
According to a social media post from B.C. Premier David Eby, Canada’s premiers will meet with American politicians on Feb. 12 to discuss the harmful impacts of Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs on all imported Canadian goods.
Trump originally said he would implement the tariffs with an executive order on day one of his administration unless Canada secured its border against illegal immigration and drug smugglers. He’s set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2025.
“Canada’s Premiers will travel to Washington, D.C. on February 12 to meet with Republicans and Democrats about the harm tariffs will cause both sides of the border,” he said in a post on X.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump threatened to use “economic force” against Canada in a bid to annex it, a comment many Canadians, including Eby, have taken seriously.
“I am a proud Canadian and British Columbian. We will never sacrifice our identity or independence to any other country,” Eby said in the post. “We will always stand strong against any threat to our people.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told True North that Canada’s premiers had a meeting Thursday to discuss the economic pressures from the incoming U.S. administration.
“As Premiers, we are united and steadfast in our opposition to tariffs and recognize they would impact each province differently,” she told True North in an email. “Each Premier has been and will continue meeting with our U.S. counterparts including Governors, members of Congress, and Senators to promote Canada’s interests.”
When asked what contributions Smith will make to the discussions in February, she said the U.S. is Canada’s greatest trading partner and ally, and she will continue to stress the urgency for both Americans and Albertans to maintain and support a mutually beneficial trade relationship.
“Alberta’s government believes that the pathway to strengthening this relationship is to double our oil production and increase exports of crude oil to the U.S. enabling them to export even more light oil to the rest of the world,” she said.
She said Alberta’s partnership with Enbridge to double oil production and expand the province pipeline capacity, which she announced earlier this week, was the first step in pursuing a strengthened U.S.-Canada partnership.
Smith told True North she will attend the meeting virtually and that she will also attend Trump’s inauguration, on Jan. 20, and other associated events and meetings while in Washington, D.C.
“I intend to advocate for Canada’s interests and against these tariffs in favour of a strong economic partnership between Canada and the U.S,” she said. “It has never been more important to demonstrate stability.”
She said that sometime next week her team will be meeting with the Prime Minister to express urgency to him in coordinating a “strong and united” response to Trump’s threats and economic pressure.
True North reached out to each of the other premiers but did not receive a response. The office of the Premier of Nunavut did respond but didn’t provide a statement before the time of publishing.
Despite not responding, Doug Ford has been making strides towards securing the border to meet Trump’s ultimatum and has been going on a U.S. media tour to represent Canada and advocate for a strong partnership with the U.S. rather than division.
On various networks, Ford continues to promote “Fortress Am-Can,” an era of strengthened partnership, “unprecedented growth, job creation and prosperity” to counter Trump’s vision of an annexed Canada as the U.S.’ 51st state.
Though Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe did not respond to True North’s requests to comment either, in December, he called for a federal election in the face of the economic threats and also committed to partner with the rest of Canada to secure the U.S.-Canada border.
