Premiers Gather in Muskoka as Canada‑U.S. Trade Talks Reach Critical Stage
Canada’s 13 premiers opened a three‑day summit in Muskoka on Monday, framing the lakeside retreat as a war room for the most consequential cross‑border negotiations in a generation. Ontario’s Doug Ford, hosting the gathering, said the goal is “one voice” ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, who will brief the premiers on last‑minute talks aimed at stopping President Donald Trump’s threatened 35 percent tariffs on all Canadian goods.
Behind closed doors, leaders exchanged draft countermeasures and debated how far to push Ottawa on federal compensation should talks fail. Alberta’s Danielle Smith pressed for a hard line on energy exports, while Quebec’s François Legault lobbied for dairy protections; both agreed that premiers must project unity as U.S. negotiators land in Toronto later this week. Carney has hinted Canada could offer concessions on digital‑service taxes and pharmaceuticals but insists steel and aluminum duties remain “non‑starters.”
Markets are watching closely: the Canadian dollar held near a six‑month low, and auto‑parts makers warned that fresh tariffs could force layoffs within weeks. Yet some premiers see opportunity; Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe pitched a “nation‑building” corridor to move critical minerals south, and Manitoba’s Wab Kinew said a diversified export push to Mercosur and Asia must remain on the table regardless of the U.S. outcome.
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