Niagara Falls, Ontario — Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not repeated or endorsed President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about turning Canada into America’s “51st state,” describing their diplomatic exchanges as “respectful and focused.”
Anand is set to welcome Rubio and other foreign ministers from G7 nations to Ontario’s Niagara region this week for high-level discussions on economic cooperation, global security, and geopolitical tensions. The meeting comes at a delicate moment for Canada-U.S. relations, which have been strained by President Trump’s escalating tariff policies and provocative comments about annexation.
Last month, tensions deepened when the U.S. president suspended negotiations with Canada after Ontario sponsored a televised advertisement featuring former U.S. president Ronald Reagan speaking out against protectionist tariffs. Despite the controversy, Anand emphasized that Secretary Rubio has maintained a constructive approach in his diplomatic dealings.
“When Secretary Rubio engages with G7 ministers, he does so respectfully and substantively on the crucial issues confronting the world,” Anand told reporters on Monday. “All G7 partners are coming to the table in good faith.”
The G7 foreign ministers’ gathering in Niagara will focus on collective responses to ongoing trade disputes, global security threats, and climate challenges, with officials expected to present a unified front despite political friction among member nations.
While President Trump’s renewed tariff and sovereignty rhetoric continues to unsettle traditional allies, Anand reiterated Canada’s commitment to maintaining open dialogue and defending its national interests through diplomacy and cooperation.