February 5, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Starmer highlighted the close relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom, which is founded on deep historical links, common values, and strong economic relations. The two leaders discussed the importance of working together to promote economic security and stability for people in both our countries and around the world. They highlighted the strong trade and investment relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom and committed to renewing efforts to advance bilateral trade.
As we approach three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the prime ministers reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression. They also spoke about developments in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza and Syria. They welcomed last month’s ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas and underscored their commitment to a two-state solution. They also stressed the importance of an inclusive Syrian-led political governance structure.
Prime Minister Trudeau raised Canada-United States trade and the two leaders discussed other shared priorities. Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Starmer agreed to stay in close contact.
Associated Links
- Canada-United Kingdom relations
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- G7 Leaders’ Statement on Ceasefire and Hostage Deal
- G7 Leaders’ Statement on Syria
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Keir Starmer
February 5, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Anita Anand, and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, met virtually with Canada’s premiers to discuss the Canada-U.S. relationship and economic prosperity.
The Prime Minister provided an update on his recent conversations with the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, during which the President decided to pause the implementation of U.S. tariffs against Canadian goods for a period of 30 days. The Prime Minister and the premiers reiterated their determination to continue engaging with U.S. partners at the federal, state, and local levels to prevent the imposition of any tariffs on Canadian exports and emphasize the benefits of Canada-U.S. co-operation. The Prime Minister welcomed the premiers’ upcoming mission to Washington, D.C., under the auspices of the Council of the Federation, as a significant opportunity for engagement and advocacy.
The Prime Minister and Minister LeBlanc discussed progress in the implementation of Canada’s $1.3 billion border plan. The Government of Canada has been redoubling its efforts to uphold border security with new helicopters and technology, enhanced co-ordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies, increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl, and nearly 10,000 frontline personnel working on protecting the border. This Monday, the Prime Minister announced further commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, and launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. The Prime Minister also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, backed with an investment of $200 million. The Prime Minister thanked premiers for their ongoing efforts to complement Canada’s border plan and committed to continue working in close partnership as the Government of Canada implements the recently announced new measures.
With the current pause in the proposed U.S. tariffs, First Ministers recognized the important opportunity to build a long-term prosperity agenda for Canada. They welcomed the positive conversations that took place at the meeting of the Committee on Internal Trade in Toronto, Ontario, on January 31, 2025. First Ministers endorsed the recommendations of Internal Trade Ministers to strengthen the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, advance mutual recognition and labour mobility, and explore opportunities to open new domestic markets in key sectors. They looked forward to making progress on these important priorities.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the upcoming Canada-U.S. Economic Summit that the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations will hold in Toronto on February 7, 2025. Building on the Council’s work to date, the Summit will bring together Canadian leaders in trade, business, public policy, and organized labour to explore ways to grow Canada’s economy, make it easier to build and trade within the country, diversify export markets, and rejuvenate productivity.
The Prime Minister and the premiers agreed to remain in close contact and to continue standing up for Canadian consumers, jobs, and businesses. They agreed to reconvene in two weeks’ time, or sooner if necessary, to discuss next steps in Canada’s engagement with the United States.
Associated Links
- Canada-United States relations
- Committee on Internal Trade
- Government of Canada announces its plan to strengthen border security and our immigration system
- Government of Canada expands plan to strengthen border security
- Prime Minister announces Canada-U.S. Economic Summit
- First Ministers’ statement on the Canada-United States relationship
February 5, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Al Hussaini, Aga Khan IV:
“It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan. A celebrated leader, His Highness was an inspiration to many. He was also a dear friend to my father as well as to me and my family. In truth, he was a friend to all Canadians, and to everyone who dreams of a more peaceful world.
“His Highness dedicated his life to compassion and prosperity for all. Through his initiatives in education, health care, and economic development. Through his advocacy for building bridges between communities and helping those most marginalized, especially women and girls. Through his steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“Respected and beloved internationally, His Highness was an honorary Canadian citizen and honorary Companion of the Order of Canada. His connection to our country will live on through the Global Centre for Pluralism, the charitable organization inspired by the Aga Khan’s efforts to build a better, kinder world. His Highness’ legacy will also live on through the Toronto-based Aga Khan Museum, North America’s first museum dedicated exclusively to Islamic arts.
“I join millions of Ismaili Muslims, including communities in Canada, to mourn his loss. On behalf of all Canadians, I offer our deepest condolences to the Aga Khan’s family and friends, and to followers of His Highness in Canada and around the world.”
February 5, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario
While the tariffs proposed by the United States have been paused for 30 days, this is an important opportunity to build a long-term prosperity agenda for Canada. One that is resilient, that breaks down barriers between provinces and territories, and that is diversified in global trade.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit, a landmark event hosted with members of the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations to galvanize business and investment across Canada. The Summit will take place in Toronto, Ontario, on February 7, 2025.
The Canada-U.S. Economic Summit will build on the work of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and bring together Canadian leaders in trade, business, public policy, and organized labour. Using their sectoral expertise, the leaders will explore ways to grow Canada’s economy, make it easier to build and trade within the country, diversify export markets, and rejuvenate productivity. The Summit will see increased co-ordination, co-operation, and interoperability between partners, including through issue- and sector-specific conversations.
Canada is the ninth-largest economy in the world. We have world-class talent, critical minerals, natural resources, a dynamic tech ecosystem, and an ambition to grow. The Canada-U.S. Economic Summit is our ambition in action – the next stride in fully unlocking our economic growth.
The Canadian government, Canadian businesses, Canadian organized labour, Canadian civil society, and tens of millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast are aligned and united with the same mission – building a stronger Canada, with more jobs, bigger paycheques, and long-term prosperity.
Quote
“The Canada-U.S. Economic Summit is Team Canada at its best. We are bringing together partners across business, civil society, and organized labour to find ways to galvanize our economy, create more jobs and bigger paycheques, make it easier to build and trade within our borders, and diversify export markets. We want businesses, investors, and workers to choose Canada.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Canada and the U.S. are each other’s largest trade partners, with nearly $3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services crossing the border each day in 2023.
- Backed by an investment of $1.3 billion and built around five pillars, Canada’s Border Plan is bolstering border security, strengthening our immigration system, and contributing to ensuring Canada’s future prosperity.
- Last year, more than $530 billion worth of goods and services moved across provincial and territorial borders, representing almost 20 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product.
- On January 17, 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the first meeting of the newly established Council on Canada-U.S. Relations. The Council, which comprises leaders in business, innovation, and policy, will provide advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on issues related to Canada-U.S. relations, including the threat of tariffs.
- The Committee on Internal Trade consists of all federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for internal trade, and is responsible for supervising the implementation of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This includes providing oversight over a number of CFTA working groups, assisting in the resolution of disputes, approving the annual operating budget of the Internal Trade Secretariat, and considering any other matter that may affect the operation of the CFTA.
Associated Links
- Canada-United States relations
- Committee on Internal Trade
- Government of Canada announces its plan to strengthen border security and our immigration system
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers on the Canada-U.S. relationship
- First Ministers’ statement on the Canada-United States relationship
February 5, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will travel to Paris, France, and to Brussels, Belgium, from February 8 to 12, 2025, to strengthen transatlantic co-operation and advance global progress on artificial intelligence (AI).
In Paris, the Prime Minister will participate in the AI Action Summit hosted by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. He will engage with leaders across business and public policy about how we can power the next generation of AI to unlock good-paying jobs and opportunities. Canada is at the centre of this shift, accelerating the innovation and economic potential of AI, while being thoughtful about navigating trust and safety. Seizing this moment is important for the future of Canadian innovation, economic productivity, and our economic security. At the Summit, the Prime Minister will deliver a keynote speech underscoring Canada’s role as a global leader in AI and highlight the importance of working in partnership to develop these technologies responsibly and safely.
As this year’s G7 President, Canada is committed to working alongside international partners in the face of geopolitical instability and threats against the rules-based international order – challenges that have been accelerated by technology, disinformation, and climate change. On the margins of the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau will meet with other world leaders to tackle these challenges and renew progress on shared priorities, including international trade, peace and security, and global economic stability.
Prime Minister Trudeau will then travel to Brussels for a Canada-European Union (EU) Leaders’ Meeting, where he will join his EU counterparts to help secure a strong, prosperous future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. The leaders will discuss ways to advance our collective efforts to strengthen transatlantic security, protect the rules-based international order, continue supporting Ukraine, and create opportunities for our peoples, building on the success of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). While in Brussels, the Prime Minister will also meet with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Mark Rutte, and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to working with the Alliance to uphold democracy, peace, and security.
Throughout the trip, Prime Minister Trudeau will strengthen and deepen transatlantic co-operation, advance efforts to solve the world’s most pressing challenges, and deliver on the priorities of Canadians.
Quote
“Transatlantic collaboration – in defence and security, in innovation and energy, in business and trade – are essential to Canada’s success. In Paris and Brussels, we will strengthen Canada’s alliances and partnerships, and put Canadians at the forefront of every opportunity, including artificial intelligence.”
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- This will be Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 11th official visit to France.
- France is a key ally for Canada on the international stage. France is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the G7, and the G20, as well as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, a founding member of the European Union (EU), and a leading partner in La Francophonie.
- In 2023, France was Canada’s third-largest merchandise export market in the EU and its 12th-largest trading partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $12.9 billion.
- The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris is the third global summit of its kind. It follows the AI Seoul Summit, which Prime Minister Trudeau attended virtually last year, and the AI Safety Summit that was hosted by the UK in 2023.
- Representatives from Canada’s federal research granting agencies will be participating in the AI Action Summit.
- In Budget 2024, the Government of Canada announced a $2.4 billion package of measures to secure Canada’s AI advantage. These investments will accelerate job growth in Canada’s AI sector and beyond, boost productivity by helping researchers and businesses develop and adopt AI, and ensure this is done responsibly.
- This will be Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s sixth official visit to Belgium.
- Canada and the EU share a strong partnership and a long history of close people-to-people ties, commercial relations, and institutional co-operation. We work together on trade, international peace and security, digital innovation, the fight against climate change, and migration, among other priorities.
- With its 27 Member States, the EU as a group is Canada’s second-largest destination for goods and services exports, after the United States of America. In 2023, trade between Canada and the EU reached a total of $157.3 billion in combined goods and services.
- The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed in 2016 and has been provisionally applied since 2017. Since then, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the EU has grown by more than 60 per cent.
- Canada is a founding member of NATO. The Alliance is a cornerstone of Canadian security and defence policy and an important platform for Canada’s contributions to international peace and security.
