Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau engaged U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday to discuss pressing issues, primarily focusing on the war in Ukraine and the illegal fentanyl trade affecting North America.
The call was significant as it came just days before the Group of Seven (G7) meeting scheduled for Monday, marking the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed discussions surrounding the protracted conflict, which has been affecting millions over the past three years.
According to the White House, the dialogue reflected mutual concerns about the continuing war. "Prime Minister Trudeau echoed President Trump’s desire to see an end to the war and acknowledged Trump as the only leader capable of brokering a fair peace," the White House stated. During the call, Trump reiterated, "The war should never have started and would not have had I been president at the time. The Prime Minister agreed."
This conversation occurs amid anxiety across Europe as discussions hint at the U.S. potentially scaling back its support for Ukraine. Both Moscow and Washington reportedly hinted at progressing talks for a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trudeau, earlier this week, emphasized the necessity of including Ukraine at any negotiations table concerning the war's conclusion. This reflects concerns from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who firmly articulated, "We will not accept any outcome of talks absent Kyiv’s participation."
While Trump appeared to shift his rhetoric during the conversation, earlier comments about the U.S. withdrawal from NATO commitments heightened fears for Ukraine’s future. He noted during interviews, "The war doesn't affect the United States very much. It's across the ocean. It does affect Europe," reflecting growing American isolationism.
Beyond Ukraine, Trudeau used the call to update Trump on collaborative measures at the Canada-U.S. border aimed at combatting fentanyl trafficking. The Prime Minister reported significant success, stating, "Canada has achieved a 90% reduction in fentanyl crossing the U.S. border." He underscored efforts led by Canada’s newly appointed Fentanyl Czar, addressing border issues which have become points of friction between the two nations.
The fentanyl crisis intersected with the discussions on U.S. tariffs imposed as penalties for drug trafficking originating from Canada. Trump has been vocally displeased with both Canada and Mexico over this issue, stating, "I’m not happy with Canada and Mexico about fentanyl coming to the U.S." He did express tentative optimism about securing a deal concerning Ukraine, which could include access to Ukraine's natural resources as compensation for U.S. aid.
Negotiations involving American, Canadian, and Ukrainian dynamics are complex, with Trudeau’s office indicating the next steps would involve direct discussions on both fentanyl and geopolitical alliances. Prior to the discussion, both the Prime Minister and Trump had shown signs of strain in their relationship, especially surrounding tariffs and Trump's speculation about Canadian sovereignty.
Notably, recent comments from Trump about establishing Canada as the "51st state" of the U.S. highlight underlying tensions and challenges Trudeau faces within the dialogue. His remarks have included pointed observations about how the U.S. exploits Canadian resources, stating, "They know we have unlimited energy, and they want to benefit from our resources."
Following the call, Trudeau expressed the importance of maintaining national identity and sovereignty, humorously referencing the recent success of Canada's national hockey team, saying, "You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game." Such statements point to Trudeau’s strategy of reinforcing Canadian distinctiveness amid pressures from U.S. policies.
Trudeau’s efforts to assert Canadian sovereignty under these challenging circumstances have been echoed by other G7 leaders, such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who emphasized no decision about Ukraine’s future could take place without its leaders directly involved.
The upcoming G7 meeting will be pivotal, as leaders prepare not only to discuss Ukraine's immediate needs but also the broader implications of U.S.-Russia relations as well as border security within North America. By sharing insights on fentanyl trafficking, Trudeau aims to bolster cooperation with Trump, possibly easing tensions hanging over trade discussions.
Overall, the outcome of these conversations remains uncertain, but they undoubtedly set the stage for upcoming diplomatic maneuvers involving Ukraine, fentanyl, and the broader relationship between Canada and the U.S. as both nations navigate the challenging waters of international diplomacy and public health crises.