Carney Declares End of Traditional U.S.-Canada Ties, Pledges Tough Response to Trump Tariffs
Canada must “dramatically reduce” its dependence on the United States as bilateral relations continue to deteriorate, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Thursday, declaring the long-standing partnership between the two countries effectively “over.”
Following an emergency cabinet meeting in Ottawa to strategize Canada’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats, Carney said a “fundamentally different relationship” with Washington is inevitable.
“The old relationship we had with the United States—built on deep economic integration and close security and military cooperation—is over,” Carney told reporters.
“It’s clear the U.S. is no longer a reliable partner. We may be able to rebuild some level of trust through comprehensive negotiations, but we’re not going back to the way things were.”
Carney said future Canadian governments will also have to adapt to the new dynamic and prepare for a more independent global strategy. Pointing to his recent trip to France and the United Kingdom, Carney emphasized a pivot toward “long-standing and reliable partners, friends, and allies.”
His remarks came just hours after Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, threatening “large scale tariffs, far larger than currently planned,” against Canada and the European Union if they collaborate to “do economic harm” to the U.S.
In response, Carney said if Trump’s proposed tariffs become permanent, Canada would seek a “broad renegotiation” of its entire security and trade framework with the U.S.
“We must reduce our reliance on the United States, shift our trade focus elsewhere, and take bold steps at a speed not seen in generations.”
Though no visit to Washington is planned, Carney confirmed the White House reached out to request a phone call, which is expected in the coming days. He added that members of his cabinet may travel to the U.S. capital, if necessary.
‘We Will Respond Forcefully’
Carney’s strong rhetoric follows Trump’s Wednesday announcement of a 25% tariff on all cars and car parts imported into the U.S.—a move widely condemned by global leaders. Carney called the tariff a “direct attack” and a clear violation of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The prime minister said Canada would unveil retaliatory trade measures after Trump’s expected announcement on April 2 outlining his administration’s next steps.
“This is a negotiation. It doesn’t make sense to tip your hand,” Carney said, while stressing that “nothing is off the table” in defense of Canadian workers and sovereignty.
He identified five sectors targeted by the U.S.: automotive, lumber, steel and aluminum, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Canada’s response, he said, would be strategic and unified—not piecemeal.
“We’ll know more in a week and we will respond then.”
Carney’s measured approach aligns with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who also signaled that Mexico would announce its counter-tariffs after April 2.
“We will respond forcefully. Nothing is off the table to defend our workers and our country,” Carney said, while cautioning that “there is no silver bullet, no quick fix” in a trade war.
“I reject any attempts to weaken Canada, to wear us down, to break us so that America can own us.”
He reiterated his government’s ongoing efforts to protect Canadian workers and businesses from the fallout of U.S. trade actions.
“We are masters in our own home,” Carney said, repeating a familiar phrase from his public speeches that echoes a historical Québec political slogan.
