SHANNON, Ireland – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday brushed off speculation that the United States’ alleged plans to “take over Canada” would be a topic at the upcoming G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Quebec.
The high-level gathering, set for March 12-14 in La Malbaie, will bring together top diplomats from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States for the first time since President Donald Trump’s return to office in January.
When pressed about Trump’s remarks suggesting Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, Rubio instead emphasized areas of cooperation between the two countries, such as North American air defense and support for Ukraine.
U.S.-Canada relations have been strained following Trump’s repeated references to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor” of what he implied was an American state. The tensions have escalated further amid a trade dispute, with Washington imposing higher tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, citing concerns over fentanyl trafficking and efforts to reshape global trade in favor of the U.S.
Rubio defended Trump’s approach, insisting the tariffs were part of a broader strategy to bolster U.S. industrial security rather than targeting Canada specifically. Despite the ongoing friction, Rubio expressed optimism about constructive discussions at the G7 summit, stating that the U.S. remains committed to working with its allies on shared global challenges.