Canada’s 13 Premiers Descend on Washington

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The leaders of all Canadian provinces and territories are set to meet up in the U.S. capital Feb. 12 to take their arguments against tariffs to American lawmakers, business groups and labor leaders. For the first time ever, they’re all in Washington together, trying to bend the ears of the most influential American policymakers they can find. Their message: Do business with us and we’ll help you compete against China.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Feb. 11 he believes there’s opposition in the U.S. to Trump’s tariff plans, which include 25% charges on almost everything the country buys from Canada and Mexico. But few will say it openly.

“Over the last few months, I’ve met and spoken with senators, congressmen and women, governors from every region of America, and from both sides of the aisle, and I’ll tell you what they say — they won’t say it publicly — they say ‘This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,’” said Ford.

Premiers in Canada are akin to U.S. state governors. They span a wide political spectrum and govern vastly different economies, from the remote Arctic to the bustling trade corridors of southern Ontario. But all are united in their opposition to Trump’s threat to impose duties that would disrupt supply chains in the integrated North American economy.

This morning, Canada’s premiers met with Congressman Adrian Smith, Chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee. I shared my concerns about how China is undercutting American and Canadian …