Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not echoed President Donald Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st state. Anand made this remark on Monday, emphasizing that Rubio has not brought up the topic in their discussions.

Anand is set to welcome Rubio and other foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations to Ontario's Niagara Region on Tuesday and Wednesday. The meeting will focus on shared economic and security challenges amid ongoing global uncertainties. "We are on a playing field where we want to engage on the crucial issues confronting our countries and the world at large," Anand said in an interview. She added that all G7 partners are approaching the discussions in good faith during this volatile geopolitical moment.

The relationship between Canada and the United States has faced strain due to Trump's increasing tariff policies and comments regarding annexation. During a G7 foreign ministers meeting in March, Rubio mentioned that Trump believed Canada should join the U.S. for economic reasons. However, he clarified that the G7 gathering was not intended to address Trump's remarks about annexation.

Anand noted that Rubio has engaged respectfully with G7 ministers, focusing on significant global issues. The U.S. State Department announced that Rubio's agenda at the G7 meeting will include discussions on peace initiatives in Ukraine and Gaza, maritime security, and supply chain resiliency, among other topics.

The Canada-U.S. relationship has been further complicated by Trump's suspension of negotiations with Canada last month. This decision followed a controversial television advertisement sponsored by Ontario, which featured former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. Anand did not specify whether she would discuss trade negotiations with Rubio, stating that the trade file is primarily managed by Canada-U.S. Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

Anand emphasized that the G7 summit will address a range of issues, including critical minerals and Arctic security, regardless of the current state of trade discussions. She remarked, "The relationship between Canada and the United States is extremely complex and it has been in place for decades and decades. We cannot ignore the number of issues where the United States and Canada do work together."

In addition to the G7 foreign ministers, Anand has invited representatives from several other countries, including Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine, to participate in the meetings. This inclusion aims to foster a comprehensive dialogue on various global issues.

To reduce Canada's reliance on trade with the U.S. amid Trump's protectionist policies, Anand and Prime Minister Mark Carney have been working to rebuild relations with India. These ties deteriorated in 2023 following the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Carney's efforts to restore the relationship have faced opposition, with advocacy group Sikhs For Justice planning protests during the G7 meetings. Anand expressed that the inclusion of diverse countries is intended to ensure a vibrant and productive conversation at the summit.