Trudeau and Trump: Pre‑G7 talks on Ukraine and fentanyl
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump had a telephone conversation about the war in Ukraine and the issue of fentanyl. The discussion took place before the G7 meeting.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a telephone conversation on Saturday with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the war in Ukraine. According to the Canadian government's press office, the discussion took place before the virtual meeting of the G7 countries planned for Monday.
Dispute before the G7 summit. Trump spoke with the Canadian Prime Minister
On Thursday, "The Financial Times" reported that the United States does not want the G7 declaration, commemorating the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to label Russia as the aggressor. The G7 includes Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the USA, and the European Union.
The second important topic of the conversation between Trudeau and Trump was the issue of fentanyl. The Canadian Prime Minister informed about actions being taken on the Canadian-American border and progress in addressing this problem. He mentioned the appointment of a special fentanyl officer and the addition of drug cartels to the list of terrorist organizations. He also emphasized that the amount of fentanyl being seized at the border has decreased.
The relations between Canada and the USA are strained due to Trump's plans to implement tariffs on imports from Canada. Additionally, the U.S. President often refers to Canada as the "51st state" and expresses a desire to incorporate it into the United States. Trudeau firmly rejects such suggestions, emphasizing Canada's sovereignty.
On the night from Wednesday to Thursday, after Canada's victory over the USA in a hockey game, Trudeau wrote, "You will not take our country from us—and you will not take our game."
Planned import tariffs
25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico are set to take effect on March 4, which were postponed by a month. The reason is accusations of insufficient border control and the influx of illegal immigration and fentanyl. The next package of tariffs will cover steel and aluminum, and the third package results from Trump's decree on reducing the trade deficit with key economic partners.
