Canadian Premiers Visit White House During Diplomatic Push in Washington

Twelve of Canada's premiers pose for a photograph before speaking to reporters at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, Feb. 12, 2025. PEI Premier Dennis King left early because of snowstorm forecasts at home. Ben Curtis/The Associated Press

Canada’s premiers visited the White House on Feb. 12 as part of a diplomatic mission in Washington, D.C., to engage with U.S. officials and industry leaders in an effort to prevent tariffs on Canada.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who is leading the joint mission, said U.S. officials are getting a “better understanding” of the potential negative impact of tariffs on both countries, and that he’s sure the message is reaching Trump.

“He knows we’re here, I’ve been told. So yes, the message is getting through,” Ford told reporters in Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump agreed on Feb. 3 to pause broad tariffs on Canada for 30 days following a commitment from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to boost border security. However, the president earlier this week ordered a 25 percent import tax on all steel and aluminum entering the United States, set to take effect next month.

A Global News reporter on Feb. 12 quoted B.C. Premier David Eby on the X platform as saying the premiers had a “frank conversation” with Trump administration officials about the president’s 51st state comments and stressed it’s a “non-starter,” which White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair “agreed to share” with Trump.

Blair responded to the comment on X, saying American officials had a “Pleasant meeting with the Premiers,” but that “To be clear, we never agreed that Canada would not be the 51st state. We only agreed to share Premier Eby’s comments.”

Blair continued, “Further, we said the best way to understand President Trump’s position is to take what he says at face value.”

Responding to Blair’s comment, Eby said he was thankful for the time the two sides had to share their concerns, and added, “I’m glad US officials heard directly from Premiers regarding tariff threats & the ‘51st state.’”

The United States and Canada “have a lot of shared goals & ground, but Canada will never be the 51st state,” Eby said.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc was also in Washington on Feb. 12, meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trump’s economic policy adviser Kevin Hassett at the White House.

Following his meeting with Lutnick, LeBlanc said Canada has the “attention” of the United States, which wants to “work with us to structure an economic deal that’s in the interest of both countries.”

Earlier in the day, the premiers held a press conference, with most saying they see promise in their diplomatic outreach.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said, “We are getting a lot of support from the Americans that we’re meeting with, businesses, senators, congresspeople alike, who all agreed that these tariffs are going to have a negative impact on the U.S., and we’re seeing that progress and how the tariffs continue to get pushed off.”

Ford said the premiers have made the case that strengthening Canada-U.S. ties can benefit both countries.

“We’re down here to communicate with the U.S. colleagues and business people on both sides of the border, and we have to make sure that we communicate how important it is to be stronger together,” Ford said. “And to be very frank, the people I’ve met, no matter if it’s business or on the political side, they all get it.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she thinks “diplomacy is working,” pointing to the 30-day tariff reprieve as evidence.

“What I’ve seen from this president is that he is prepared to make a deal,” Smith said.

Quebec Premier François Legault said that while his province is ready to retaliate if needed, reaching an agreement without levies is “the first choice.”

The Canadian Press and Matthew Horwood contributed to this report.