Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly sounded the alarm on Thursday, March 13, 2025, to her G7 counterparts that if the United States can impose tariffs and threaten the sovereignty of its closest ally, then “nobody is safe” from President Donald Trump’s policies.
As foreign ministers gathered in Quebec for the G7 meeting, Joly brought up the issue of U.S. tariffs and sovereignty threats with her British and European minister counterparts, in an effort to rally support and emphasize the need for collective action against U.S. trade policies.
The trade dispute intensified after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Joly has been vocal in her criticism, describing the tariffs as “unjustifiable” and arguing they are being used as an excuse for economic coercion.
In response, Canada has implemented counter-tariffs on American goods, with some Canadian businesses and consumers boycotting U.S. products in protest. The European Union has also imposed retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. in response to Trump’s trade policies.
The two-day summit began shortly after Trump warned of implementing 200% tariffs on European wine and spirits unless the European Union withdrew its countermeasures against U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, which included a tax on American whiskey.
The central concern revolves around Canada’s sovereignty, as Trump’s repeated remarks are seen as potential threats of annexation. Joly has described his statements as efforts to “forcefully integrate our country using economic pressure.”
“The only constant in all of this is his talk of annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state,” Joly stated, referring to Trump’s shifting justifications for the tariffs. She emphasized that Canada will not back down or give in to this coercion.
Joly has described Canada as the “canary in the coal mine” regarding how the United States treats its allies under the Trump administration. During her discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, she pleaded for recognition that “Canada is your best friend, best neighbor and best ally.”
The Canadian foreign minister made it clear that she intended to use “every single meeting” during the G7 gathering to push back on U.S. tariffs. She aims to work with other G7 countries to exert strong pressure in defense of Canada’s sovereignty and quality of life.
For his part, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has tried to downplay Trump’s annexation comments, saying Trump believes Canada should become the 51st state “from an economic standpoint.” Rubio insisted that Trump’s remarks are “not about taking over Canada.”
Relations between the U.S. and Canada are reported to be at an all-time low due to the ongoing disputes. The trade conflict comes at a sensitive time as Canada has sworn in a new prime minister, Mark Carney, on Friday, who has identified Trump’s trade assault as an “economic and sovereign crisis.”
Carney has vowed to stop the president from “dominating the hemisphere” by taking Canada and Greenland. “The Americans, they should make no mistake: In trade, as in hockey, Canada will win,” Carney stated, reflecting the growing anti-American sentiment in Canadian political circles.
Other Canadian officials have echoed Joly’s concerns. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that Canada would not “stand idly by” in the face of U.S. aggression.
Beyond the bilateral trade dispute, the G7 meeting also addressed wider global conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and fostering stability in the Middle East. However, Trump’s presidency loomed large over these discussions as well.
At the G7 meeting, Canada’s allies expressed solidarity against President Trump’s annexation threats and tariff measures. European diplomats, including Germany’s Annalena Baerbock and the EU’s Kaja Kallas, showcased support through coordinated gestures symbolizing the Canadian flag. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also dismissed the annexation rhetoric, reinforcing a unified stance against U.S. policies perceived as aggressive.
The G7 group faces growing instability around the world and a shifting geopolitical climate, especially following Trump’s return to the White House. Despite the tense atmosphere, Joly has emphasized the importance of working with Canada’s G7 peers to address these global challenges.
