Carney Warns Canada Cannot Rely on US as Ties Weaken
Canada’s close ties to the United States were once a strength but have become a weakness, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday in a video message in which he also praised military leaders who fought against a US invasion more than two centuries ago.
Holding up a small toy soldier depiction of General Isaac Brock, the British military leader who died defending what is now Canada from a US invasion in the War of 1812, Carney said Canada cannot control the disruption coming from its US neighbors and cannot bet its future on the hope that it will suddenly stop.
“The situation today feels unique, but we’ve faced down threats like this before”, Carney said, referring to Brock and other historical figures, including Chief Tecumseh, who united Indigenous nations across the Great Lakes to resist US expansion in 1812.
Carney, who secured a parliamentary majority for his Liberal government last week, said his election victory would help him deal more effectively with the trade war launched by US President Donald Trump.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week criticized Canada as a difficult trading partner.
Canada, which sends almost 70% of its exports to the United States, is due this year to review the trilateral US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. US officials have suggested they want major changes to the pact.
In addition to imposing tariffs on Canadian exports such as steel, aluminum and automobiles, Trump has repeatedly suggested annexing Canada and turning it into the 51st US state.
Carney’s office did not immediately respond to questions about why the video was released now or why it praised figures who resisted US expansionism.
Carney said he plans to give regular addresses to Canadians in the coming weeks and months to update them on efforts to grow the economy and defend sovereignty.
“It’s our country, it’s our future, we are taking back control”, he said.