LA MALBAIE, Canada – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio faces a potentially difficult reception this week as he meets with his counterparts from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies in Quebec. The G7 countries, strong American allies, have been taken aback by President Donald Trump’s recent actions, including imposing steel and aluminum tariffs that have sparked responses from the European Union and Canada, potentially leading to trade wars.

Rubio arrived in the picturesque town of La Malbaie on the St. Lawrence River for talks with the top diplomats of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. These nations have all expressed discontent with President Trump’s policies, with Canada being particularly critical of the ongoing rhetoric that suggests it could become the 51st U.S. state.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, hosting the meetings, plans to address the issue of tariffs in each discussion, aiming to coordinate responses with European allies and apply pressure on the United States. Rubio, however, downplayed Trump’s remarks about annexing Canada, emphasizing that the focus of the G7 talks would be on issues like Ukraine.

During his trip to Canada, Rubio reiterated that the tariffs were a deliberate policy decision by Trump to protect American competitiveness. He expressed confidence that the G7 partners could maintain constructive relationships despite disagreements on trade policies. The agenda for the G7 meeting includes topics like China, Ukraine, Europe, the Middle East, maritime security, Africa, and the countries of China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia.

Furthermore, Rubio and Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, have been working towards a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict while in Saudi Arabia. Despite potential progress, there are concerns about Trump’s desire to involve Russian President Vladimir Putin in discussions, a move that has raised alarms among G7 members.

The G7 has historically taken a tough stance on Russia, particularly after its annexation of Crimea in 2014. However, recent shifts in U.S. policy have raised uncertainties about the group’s unity on condemning Russia. As discussions continue, the focus remains on finding a peaceful resolution in Ukraine while maintaining a stance of strength and unity against Russian aggression.

In efforts to ensure a future ceasefire, Britain and France have proposed a “coalition of the willing” with U.S. support. As discussions unfold, it remains to be seen how the G7 will navigate its stance on Russia and potential peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine. The virtual meeting hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to gather support from various countries to address the ongoing conflict and promote stability in the region.