
Thursday January 23, 2025 | OTTAWA, BC [filed from Victoria, BC]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
A trio not usually seen together for a press conference addressed media on Tuesday about their trip to Washington, DC last weekend, into Monday.
Kirsten Hillman (Canada’s Ambassador to the United States), Francois-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry) and Mary Ng (Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Canada), addressed media in Ottawa on Tuesday January 21.

Hillman really took the lead during Monday’s press conference, with a diplomatic approach to dealing with the US in high contrast to the force and bluster of politicians across the country. Hillman seems more clear-eyed about the actual power of the United States and how vulnerable Canada may well be.
Weekend-into-Monday trip:
Hillman, Champagne and Ng had been in the US capital to a attend the inauguration of Donald J Trump as the 47th president of the United States. The weather was colder than usual for an east coast winter, and the ceremony was moved indoors.
The January 20 inauguration was preceded by parties and mingling on the weekend, which Canada’s Ambassador to the United States described as an opportunity to get out Canada’s messages about the impact of would-be tariffs.
Trump has said tariffs on Canadian goods going into the United States will be subject to 25% tariffs and will start February 1.
Regarding that, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman said on January 21 that for Canada the discussion has “moved from an abstract discussion to a very concrete discussion”.
The president’s trade agenda is laid out and there is administration in place, explained Hillman. The “framework and tools” can now be used in a a “concerned way” instead of a “more diffused way”.
Hillman is skillful in her approach. She says that it’s in Canada’s interest that the Trump administration succeed in its economic objectives.
Trump is Canada’s “closest economic ally” so it’s important to “contribute to his key agenda of energy dominance”, said Hillman.
Trudeau’s Canada-US approach:
Hillman is a key player on Prime Minister Trudeau’s Canada-US Council of business, labour and policy leaders.

Trudeau is also meeting weekly with all the premiers regarding the Canada-US strategy, a political rhythm only otherwise seen during the COVID pandemic.

Canada has a three-part tariff strategy, outlined by the Prime Minister and key cabinet ministers last week, in a generalized way so as not to reveal too much: Phase 1 – Immediate tariffs on specific items | Phase 2 – Tariffs on $37 billion of imports | Phase 3 – Tariffs on $110 billion of imports.
Ng & Champagne debrief to media:
Ng commented on how “enormously successful the economic relationship is” between Canada and the United States. She said it’s important to “work together to make this economic relationship even more successful”
“There are many things the Americans want” as part of “economic success for America”, and that Canadians “can very much be a part of that,” said Ng.
Champagne said he imparted a message about connecting their their American counterparts last weekend and Monday: “I hope you;re happy to see us because we’re your largest customer.”
“There cannot be tariffs without impacts and consequences for consumers,” said Champagne.
What’s good for America should be good for Canada because of the integrated nature of the trade relationship, said Champagne. Canada is the US’s “strategic partner of choice in the 21st century”, he said.
“If you’re going to say no to Canada, be mindful of who you’re going to say yes to,” Champagne pointed out, referring to China and other countries otherwise being sources of products for the US. That especially includes critical minerals which Canada has in abundance.
Champagne wants to “make sure Canada is front and centre of this new age that was presented by President Rump yesterday,” he said.

Border component:
Hillman noted that the border is “one of the core issues for the president”.
It’s quite possible that Trump is bringing economic pressure to bear on Canada in order to see border improvements made, and then may perhaps back off.
A strong US economy and energy dominance and trade what is what he calls fairness, she explained. Those issues around energy and trade and geography including northern Arctic security — these are all quite significant priorities for him, said Hillman about President Trump. “But we have a lot to bring to the table,” said Hillman. “The border has two sides- we have thins we want to talk about.”
===== RELATED:
- PM & Premiers to meet weekly about Canada-US challenges (January 22, 2025)
- US presidential inauguration of Trump on cold day in Washington (January 20, 2025)
- Canada on guard with three-part tariff strategy (January 17, 2025)
- Trudeau holds first meeting of Canada’s Council on Canada-US relations (January 17, 2025)
- BC Premier Eby on Canada’s strategy around US tariffs (January 15, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: CANADA-US | POLITICS