In the news today: Premiers travel to Washington amid tariff threat

Trump delayed those levies until at least March 12 in response to border security commitments from both countries.

But Monday, Trump announced that on the same day in March he will impose 25 per cent tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports to the U.S., with no exemptions.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who is chair of the council, will be speaking to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today, while other leaders will join the Washington mission Wednesday.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Canada businesses seeking response to U.S. tariffs

Canada’s business advocacy groups are calling for government action following promised American tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to levy 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to his country beginning March 12.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Candace Laing said in a statement the move is “wrong on so many levels.”

A similar sentiment was echoed by Toronto Region Board of Trade president and CEO Giles Gherson, who said in a statement immediate action must be taken to “shore up our economy and Canada’s economic sovereignty.”

Gherson’s statement included a to-do list from the Toronto Region Board of Trade for the Canadian government in response to the tariffs, with one item being to impose counter-tariffs on the U.S. in order to protect Canadian steel and aluminum businesses’ home market.

Eby heads to U.S. to meet lawmakers about tariffs

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he believes the recent tariff friction with the United States will fundamentally change the way Canadians approach trade with their southern neighbours, and things “will never go back to the way that we were before.”

Eby says Canadians were “way too reliant on the decisions of one person in the White House” and “took our relationship for granted,” adding that he believes the province and the country will emerge stronger from this experience because “the world needs what we have.”

The premier made the comments before he flew from Vancouver to Washington, D.C., where he will be joined by other provincial leaders to meet with U.S. lawmakers about trade and tariffs as the threat of a steep levy on more Canadian goods looms.

The trip comes just after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum.

Previously, Eby had called the U.S. threat of tariffs on Canadian goods a “declaration of economic war against a trusted ally and friend” and “a complete betrayal” of the historic bond between Canada and the United States.

Bar ambassador while Trump talks annexation: prof

Ottawa should block Donald Trump’s chosen ambassador to Canada until the U.S. president stops questioning Canada’s sovereignty, says one expert.

“We could potentially use (this) as a way of signalling the seriousness with which the Government of Canada is viewing this unwelcome talk,” said University of Victoria international relations professor Will Greaves.

Trump has said repeatedly for weeks he wants to make Canada a U.S. state and has threatened to do so through economic coercion, prompting his officials to make similar comments.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initially characterized those comments as jokes. But he told business leaders last Friday that the idea of absorbing Canada “is a real thing” for Trump, because of Canada’s resource wealth.

Trump said Sunday that he could easily enact economic policies that “would not allow Canada to be a viable country,” such as shutting down Canada’s auto sector.

Ford in D.C., other Ontario leaders stay on trail

Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is heading to Washington, D.C., today to meet with U.S. lawmakers and business leaders in his capacity as Ontario premier, while other party leaders continue campaigning in the province.

Ford is making the trip with other premiers as chair of the Council of the Federation, in a bid to promote economic ties between U.S. and Canada amid President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.

Opposition leaders have argued that Ford’s trip to Washington is inappropriate during an election, but the PC leader has maintained that he can simultaneously campaign for re-election and take anti-tariff actions as premier.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles will be making an announcement in Kitchener today, while Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie is set to make another stop in Toronto.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner will also be in Kitchener before attending a local candidates’ debate in Guelph.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2025.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

In the news today: Premiers travel to Washington amid tariff threat

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