On Thursday, the socialist Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, declared that the "old relationship" between Canada and the United States has come to an end and promised a renegotiation of the trade agreements between both countries, in response to the tariff threats from the U.S. President Donald Trump.
Carney, who assumed the liberal leadership this month with 86% of the votes following the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, made these statements at a press conference in Ottawa after meeting with the provincial premiers of Canada.
Carney emphasized that the traditional relationship of economic integration and cooperation in security and defense with the United States was no longer viable. "The relationship we had with the United States, based on the deep integration of our economies and close cooperation in security and defense, has ended," he stated.
Although he didn't specify whether the relationship would change regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was renegotiated during Trump's first term, Carney made it clear that a "essentially different relationship" between the two countries is on the horizon.
According to Carney, the United States' stance is marked by growing uncertainty, which forces Canada to rethink its trade and security strategies.
Trump's measures, such as the 25% tariffs on imported cars, have caused great concern in Canada, which fears that Trump's policies will harm its industry, despite Ottawa maintaining unfair and high tariffs against the United States for a long time.
Carney stated that the Canadian government is ready to face the consequences of the tariffs and that Canada must "drastically reduce" its dependence on the United States.
"What is clear is that we have agency. We have power. We are the masters of our own house," he declared, emphasizing the need for Canada to take control of its destiny and seek new international alliances, especially with partners like France and the United Kingdom.
