Trudeau and Trump in tense talks ahead of G7 summit

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday regarding the Ukraine conflict. The Canadian government's press office stated that the conversation took place prior to Monday's virtual meeting of the G7 countries.

On Thursday, "The Financial Times" reported that the United States does not want the G7 countries’ declaration, marking the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to designate Russia as the aggressor. The G7 comprises Canada, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the USA, and the European Union.

The second major topic of conversation between Trudeau and Trump was fentanyl. The Canadian Prime Minister discussed actions being taken at the Canadian-American border and the progress made in tackling this issue. He highlighted the appointment of a special fentanyl officer and the classification of drug cartels as terrorist organisations. He also noted a decrease in the amount of fentanyl being seized at the border.

Relations between Canada and the USA are tense due to Trump's plans to impose tariffs on imports from Canada. Additionally, the U.S. President frequently refers to Canada as the "51st state" and expresses a desire to annex it into the United States. Trudeau firmly rebuffs such notions, reaffirming Canada's sovereignty.

On the night from Wednesday to Thursday, following Canada's victory over the USA in a hockey game, Trudeau tweeted, "You will not take our country from us—and you will not take our game."

Tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico are scheduled to come into effect on 4 March, having been postponed by a month. This delay was due to accusations of inadequate border control and the influx of illegal immigration and fentanyl. The next set of tariffs will apply to steel and aluminium, while the third package stems from Trump's directive to reduce the trade deficit with key economic partners.