Premiers make diplomatic push in Washington amid Trump’s tariff threat

Canadian premiers are taking up the Team Canada mantle in Washington this week on a joint mission to convince U.S. President Donald Trump to drop his tariff threats for good.

The diplomatic push by the Council of the Federation, which includes all 13 provincial and territorial premiers, comes after the president signed executive orders Monday to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, including Canadian products, starting March 12.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the steel and aluminum tariffs “unacceptable.” Trudeau, who is in Paris for a global summit on AI, said he was working with international partners to deliver a “firm and clear” response.

A senior government official said that Trudeau spoke with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, who is also at the summit, about the impact steel tariffs would have in Ohio. Vance previously represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate.

Monday’s duties mark another development in Trump’s larger plans to reshape global trade and American foreign policy through tariffs.

Canadian premiers originally planned the joint mission to Washington to push back against Trump’s threat of 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy.

Trump delayed those levies until at least March 4 in response to border security commitments from both countries.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, chair of the Council of the Federation, said the new tariff threats are totally unnecessary. Ford said Canada will retaliate if forced.

“These tariffs are going to hurt both countries, mark my words,” Ford told CNBC News Monday. “And unfortunately the president has gone down this avenue, and there’s no reason to.”

Ford said it remains unclear what Trump ultimately wants from Canada. He said any duties will harm both the Canadian and American economies.

Ford is scheduled to speak to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Tuesday before hosting a joint reception with Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer.

British Columbia Premier David Eby, who is also meetings in the U.S. capital Tuesday, said Canadians are “way too reliant on the decisions of one person in the White House.”

Premiers are looking to meet with business and labour leaders, as well as key members of Trump’s administration.

“This is a Republican-led initiative against Canada,” Eby said Monday before he flew from Vancouver to Washington.

“It’s a group we need to talk to. Obviously, we need to help them understand the importance of our tightly linked economies, and that while they may think they’re trying to get something from Canada, it’s just mutually assured damage.”

Federal Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc also spoke with Trump’s newly confirmed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday. According to a statement issued by the U.S. government, Bessent talked with LeBlanc about the importance of working together to combat security threats and engaging on economic issues. They also discussed collaborating on G7 priorities.

“Our conversation focused on our common objective — building a strong North American economy that benefits citizens and industries on both sides of our shared border,” LeBlanc said in a post on social media.

With files from Chuck Chiang and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press