Canada's US ties have become 'weaknesses that we must correct': Carney takes on Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday that his country's ties with the United States have become a "weakness" that must be corrected. The remarks from the Canadian premier came as workers in Canada's auto, steel and lumber industries remain under threat due to US President Donald Trump's harsh tariffs.

"The US has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression," Carney said in a video posted to YouTube on Sunday morning. "Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become weaknesses — weaknesses that we must correct," he said.

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The Canadian Prime Minister framed this video address as an opportunity to speak directly to Canadians about the threats the country is currently facing. He also noted that regular updates on Canada's diversification efforts would be forthcoming.

"Security can't be achieved by ignoring the obvious or downplaying the very real threats that we Canadians face," Carney said. "I will never sugarcoat our challenges. Instead, I'll talk to you directly and regularly about the plan."

The timing of it all

It is pertient to note that Carney's video came just days after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick took a jab at Canadian trade strategy ahead of reviewing the current version of North America's free trade agreement. Lutnick specifically blasted Ottawa's growing economic partnership with China.

The American commerce secretary was responding to a suggestion from Canada's former trade negotiator, Steve Verheul. He said the time is on the Canadians' side because political pressure on the US president is going to increase over time as the American economy wavers.

"That is, like, the worst strategy I’ve ever heard. They suck, they — look, we are a $30-trillion [US] economy, right?" Lutnick remarked. He then took jabs at Ottawa's trade deal with China.

"Carney has a problem with us. He gets on a plane, and he goes to China," Lutnick said. "Does he think the Chinese economy is going to buy his stuff? Is China entirely an export-driven economy? So what do you do? [Carney] came back and said, 'Oh, we'll take their electric cars.' I mean, is this nuts?"

As part of an agreement signed earlier this year, the Canadian government would allow 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into its market at a tariff rate of 6.1 per cent — down from 100 per cent. In exchange for this, China agreed to lower tariffs on Canadian canola to 15 per cent and remove levies on Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crab and peas until at least the end of 2026.

Conservatives hit back

On Sunday afternoon, the Canadian Conservative Party shared its own video with deputy leader Melissa Lantsman arguing that Canada has failed to make meaningful progress on major projects — despite new powers allowing Carney's government to bypass provisions of some federal laws.

"What has [Carney] delivered? More speeches, more so-called guidance, more agreements to make agreements," Lantsman said. "Canadians don't need forward guidance. They live in the real world, not the Bank of Canada press conference world."

The Conservative politician also said that the country "needs a government that stops blocking the projects that create jobs, grow paycheques and make this country more energy independent." "The Liberals have had their decade, and it's been another year. It's time for results," she said.