Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not broached the topic of Canada becoming the 51st state during their discussions, in contrast to President Donald Trump’s previous remarks. Anand expressed her anticipation for the upcoming meeting with Rubio and other Group of Seven foreign ministers in Ontario’s Niagara Region, emphasizing the importance of addressing shared economic and security challenges amidst global uncertainty.
The strained Canada-U.S. relationship, exacerbated by Trump’s tariff policies and annexation threats, loomed over previous G7 meetings. Rubio, during a gathering in Quebec, mentioned Trump’s belief in Canada’s potential inclusion in the United States for economic reasons but clarified that the meeting was not specifically to discuss annexation. Meanwhile, at a separate G7 summit in Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney reported that Trump showed respect for Canadian sovereignty and refrained from suggesting Canada’s assimilation.
The upcoming G7 meeting is expected to focus on security, peace issues, and advancing American interests in various global matters, as outlined by the U.S. State Department. Carney’s efforts to stabilize Canada’s ties with the U.S. faced setbacks following Ontario’s sponsorship of a TV ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs, leading to a suspension of negotiations by Trump. Despite the trade-related challenges, Anand stressed the importance of continuing multilateral efforts within the G7 framework, addressing diverse issues from critical minerals to Arctic security and Gaza.
Apart from the G7 members, other foreign ministers from countries like Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, and others have been invited to enrich the discussions. Carney and Anand have been particularly focused on strengthening relations with India to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. trade, following tensions that arose in 2023 after the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The inclusion of additional countries aims to foster a comprehensive dialogue at the G7 summit, reflecting the complex and longstanding relationship between Canada and the United States.