Carney Declares End of Canada-US ‘Old Relationship,’ Pledges Forceful Trade Response

Canada must drastically reduce its reliance on the United States as the once-close bilateral relationship deteriorates, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Thursday. Following a cabinet meeting in Ottawa, Carney declared that the era of deep economic and security integration with the US is “over,” signaling a major shift in Canada’s foreign policy direction.

Speaking to reporters, Carney stressed that Canada could no longer count on the US as a dependable ally, citing recent tariff threats from President Donald Trump.

“The old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening economic integration and close security cooperation is over,” Carney said. “It’s clear the US is no longer a reliable partner.”

The prime minister’s remarks come in response to Trump’s escalating trade threats. Earlier on Thursday, the US president warned on his Truth Social platform that Canada and the European Union would face “large-scale tariffs, far larger than currently planned” if they collaborated to harm the American economy.

In light of the growing rift, Carney announced plans to strengthen Canada’s partnerships with other nations, including France and the United Kingdom. Referring to his first international trip as prime minister, Carney said he had chosen to visit the two European nations due to their status as “long-standing and reliable partners, friends, and allies of Canada.”

He also hinted at further diplomatic engagements, confirming that while he has no immediate plans to visit Washington, members of his cabinet may make the trip. Carney revealed that the White House had reached out regarding a phone call between him and Trump in the coming days.

Carney vowed that Canada would strike back with its own trade measures in response to Washington’s escalating protectionism. His comments followed Trump’s recent declaration of a 25% tariff on all cars and car parts imported into the US—a move Carney condemned as a “direct attack” that violated the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).

While he declined to reveal specifics, Carney confirmed that Canada is preparing a suite of retaliatory trade actions, set to be unveiled after Trump’s expected announcement on April 2.

“This is a negotiation,” Carney said. “It doesn’t make sense to tip your hand and say what you’re going to do going forward.”

He outlined that the US’s tariffs strategy appears to target five key Canadian sectors: automotive, lumber, steel and aluminum, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. In response, Carney said Canada would pursue broader countermeasures rather than responding to each US initiative individually.

Carney’s measured approach mirrors that of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who announced on Thursday that Mexico would also wait until after April 2 to disclose its own tariff plans. Both leaders appear to be coordinating their responses to maximize collective leverage against Washington’s aggressive trade policies.

In a firm warning, Carney assured Canadians that his government would defend the country’s economic interests with all available tools.

“We will respond forcefully. Nothing is off the table to defend our workers and our country,” he declared. However, he cautioned that there was no quick fix to the looming trade war.

“I reject any attempts to weaken Canada, to wear us down, to break us so that America can own us,” Carney said defiantly.

The prime minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to shielding Canadian workers and businesses from the fallout of US tariffs through domestic support policies.

“We are masters in our own home,” he said, echoing a famous Québec political slogan, as he vowed to protect Canada’s economic sovereignty.