Canadian PM Carney: Reliance on the US is a weakness

JAKARTA - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney believes that the country’s close economic ties with the United States have now become a vulnerability that needs to be addressed, following decades of trade integration between the two nations.

As reported by Aljazeera, in a 10-minute video statement on Sunday, Carney stressed that Canada must reduce its overreliance on a single trading partner. He said that changes in US trade policy have reshaped the landscape of bilateral relations.

“The world is becoming more dangerous and divided,” Carney said. “The US has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression.”

“Many of our previous strengths, which were based on our close relationship with America, have become weaknesses,” he added. “Weaknesses that we must fix.”

This statement underscores a shift in Canada-US relations amid high tariff policies driven by President Donald Trump. Tensions have also increased following remarks by Trump suggesting that Canada should become part of the United States.

Carney referred to history by highlighting General Isaac Brock, the British military commander who fought US forces in the War of 1812. He suggested that Canada has faced similar pressures in the past.

“Today’s situation feels unique, but we have faced threats like this before,” Carney said.

The Liberal Party government led by Carney has just secured a parliamentary majority in this month’s special election, strengthening its position to pursue economic policies, including ahead of the review of the North American free trade agreement in July.

Since taking office in 2025, Carney has pushed to diversify trading partners, including strengthening ties with China, in order to reduce dependence on the US.

“We must look after ourselves because we cannot rely on a single foreign partner,” Carney said on Sunday. “We cannot control disruptions coming from our neighbour. We cannot shape our future on the assumption that those disruptions will suddenly stop.” (DH/LM)