Here’s the latest as Canada faces U.S President Donald Trump’s tariff threats

By Canadian Press on February 12, 2025.

OTTAWA — Canada’s 13 premiers are in Washington, D.C. today seeking to convince Republicans that U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose stiff tariffs on Canada is not in their best interest. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Brussels meeting with European allies as Canada looks to shore up support against those possible tariffs.

Here’s the latest (All times eastern):

8:30

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says premiers are making the case against all tariffs to business groups, lobbyists and Republican lawmakers. They are not meeting with Trump himself.

It’s the first time all 13 premiers have been in the U.S. capital together.

6:30 a.m.

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Trump’s comments about making Canada the 51st state are not a “real threat.” Blair is in Brussels with Trudeau today meeting with NATO allies and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. He and Trudeau had breakfast with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte today.

Blair says Canadians are rightly offended by Trump’s repeated comments but he does not see them as a serious threat.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2025

The Canadian Press