- Trump's tariffs spark immediate retaliation from Canada and EU
- Canadian FM condemns 'economic coercion' and annexation rhetoric
- Ukraine ceasefire deal faces skepticism amid Russia-G7 tensions
- European leaders push back against Trump's outreach to Putin
At the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Quebec, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio encountered fierce pushback from longstanding allies over President Trump's protectionist trade policies. The newly imposed steel and aluminum tariffs—which took effect hours before the summit—drew sharp criticism from Canada and the European Union, with both vowing retaliatory measures. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly labeled the tariffs 'unjustifiable economic warfare,' accusing Trump of using trade as leverage for political annexation rhetoric.
The diplomatic rift deepened as Joly revealed plans to coordinate a unified response with European partners. Trump's repeated references to Canada as a '51st state' further inflamed tensions, though Rubio dismissed the comments as informal suggestions. Analysts suggest these remarks risk eroding trust in U.S. leadership, particularly as NATO members question Washington's commitment to collective security frameworks.
Amid the trade disputes, Rubio sought to shift focus to the proposed 30-day Ukraine ceasefire negotiated in Saudi Arabia. While European ministers acknowledged the potential breakthrough, many expressed concerns about Russia's sincerity. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that 'strength through unity' remains vital to countering Putin's ambitions, referencing the G7's coordinated sanctions since Russia's 2022 invasion.
The summit also highlighted growing divisions over Trump's apparent willingness to reintegrate Russia into the G8 format. British and French officials reiterated that lifting sanctions requires full Russian withdrawal from Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, Canada's retaliatory tariffs on $12.6 billion worth of U.S. goods—targeting sectors like bourbon and dairy—serve as a regional case study in economic brinkmanship, potentially reshaping North American supply chains.
Three critical insights emerge: First, the tariff conflict could weaken bipartisan support for NATO ahead of U.S. midterms. Second, agricultural states hit by Canadian countermeasures may pressure the White House to reconsider trade strategies. Third, Europe's push for autonomous peacekeeping forces signals a historic shift away from reliance on U.S. military guarantees. As Rubio departs Quebec, the G7's ability to present a united front on global security and trade remains in serious doubt.
