Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed business leaders at the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit in Toronto, stating that U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to annex Canada “is a real thing.”
“Mr. Trump appears to believe that the simplest approach is to incorporate our nation, and this is indeed a serious matter. In my discussions with him regarding…,” Trudeau remarked, just as the microphone ceased to function.
The prime minister’s comments followed his opening address at the summit on Friday morning, where he highlighted the critical issues affecting Canada’s trade relationship with the United States.
Subsequent to the opening remarks, media representatives were asked to leave the room; however, a microphone that remained active captured comments intended solely for a private audience.
Asked about the comments, Labour Minister and government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said Canada may have different regions and political difference, but the country “is united on one thing: its pride in being Canadian.”
“Canada is free, Canada is sovereign, Canada will choose its own destiny, thank you very much. But Canada is forever — so Canada will make its choices,” he said.
“We will always, always, always, stand up for this country, for its people and for the ability to make our choices for ourselves.”
In his opening remarks at the summit, Trudeau emphasized the necessity for Canada to adopt both a tactical approach to counter Trump’s tariff threats in the immediate future and a long-term strategy for engaging with a less cooperative United States.
“We are at a pivotal moment, one that requires us to address not only how we navigate this specific challenge over the next 30 days or few months but also how we can thrive and emerge stronger over the next four years, particularly in light of a potentially more difficult political landscape with the United States,” Trudeau stated.
To achieve success on these fronts, Trudeau indicated that summit participants would focus on three essential objectives: establishing an internal free-trade agreement, ensuring that Canada-U.S. trade is mutually beneficial, and effectively utilizing existing trade agreements with partners in Europe and the Pacific Rim.
Following a tense weekend, Trump announced on Monday afternoon that he would delay his commitment to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods for at least a month, as Canada proposed a plan to address his concerns regarding border security and crime.
Trudeau noted earlier this week that, despite this temporary reprieve, concerns persist, and the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit will seek to identify ways to invigorate the economy, create more jobs and higher wages, facilitate trade within Canada, and diversify export markets.
Canadian business leaders have consistently expressed frustration over the challenges of conducting trade within the country, often finding it more straightforward to engage with international markets. This difficulty is primarily attributed to various impediments, including restrictions on alcohol sales, technical standards such as vehicle weight regulations, and regulatory hurdles encompassing licensing and documentation requirements.
On Friday, the Prime Minister indicated that all provincial leaders are aligned in their desire to eliminate these internal trade barriers, which Trudeau described as “illogical.” He emphasized that the current circumstances present a timely opportunity to address these issues.
“We must advance on this matter,” Trudeau stated on Friday. “This is a pivotal moment where we have the chance to make progress. There is an opportunity available due to the current context, and we must seize it.”
To establish a genuine internal free trade agreement, Trudeau asserted that it will necessitate collaboration between government officials and business leaders “to actively advocate and ensure that we capitalize on this moment to enhance free trade within Canada.”