Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that Canada’s long-standing economic dependence on the United States has shifted from a strategic advantage to a growing vulnerability.
In a national address on Sunday, April 19, Carney said Canada can no longer “bet its future” on the expectation that trade tensions with the U.S. will ease anytime soon.
His remarks come just days after securing a parliamentary majority for his Liberal government and amid escalating trade frictions with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The ongoing dispute has seen Washington impose steep tariffs on key Canadian exports, including steel, aluminium, and automobiles, further straining economic relations between the two countries.
Carney noted that the United States has significantly shifted its global trade posture, raising tariffs to levels not seen since the Great Depression.
He stressed that Canada’s heavy reliance on the U.S.—which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of its exports—has become increasingly risky amid growing uncertainty and tensions.
Describing the situation as a matter of national sovereignty, the Prime Minister called for urgent economic diversification and the strengthening of new international trade partnerships.
To reinforce his message, Carney invoked historical parallels, referencing Isaac Brock and Tecumseh, who resisted U.S. expansionism during the War of 1812. He described Canada’s current economic challenges as a modern test of resilience and self-reliance.
Carney pledged that his administration would provide regular updates on efforts to grow the economy and protect workers in sectors affected by U.S. trade measures.
With a review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement expected later this year, he signalled a shift away from reliance on past cooperation, emphasising the need for a more independent and resilient economic strategy.