Canadian PM says we shouldn't just hope for 'US to return to normal'
Kyiv • UNN
Canada's Prime Minister called for economic diversification due to new US tariffs. Carney plans to attract investments and strengthen security regardless of the neighbor.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a video address released on Sunday that Canada's strong economic ties with the United States were once a strength, but are now a weakness that needs to be corrected, UNN reports with reference to AP.
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In a 10-minute address, Carney spoke about his government's efforts to strengthen the Canadian economy by attracting new investment and signing trade agreements with other countries.
"The world has become 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 former strengths, based on our close ties with America, have become weaknesses. Weaknesses that we must correct
Carney said that tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump have affected workers in the automotive and steel industries. He added that businesses are holding back investment, "limited by the shroud of uncertainty that hangs over all of us."
Many Canadians were also outraged by Trump's comments suggesting Canada become the 51st state.
Carney said he plans to regularly update Canadians on his government's efforts to diversify away from the US.
"Security cannot be achieved by ignoring the obvious or downplaying the real threats we Canadians face," he said. "I promise you I will never sugarcoat our challenges."
Carney said simply hoping the "United States will return to normal" is not a feasible strategy.
"Hope isn’t a plan and nostalgia is not a strategy," he said.
Carney said Canada "has been a great neighbor," standing by the US in conflicts including Afghanistan, as well as in two world wars.
"The US has changed, and we must respond," he said. "It's about taking back control of our security, our borders, and our future."
This is not the first time Carney, who served as a central bank governor, first at the Bank of Canada and later at the Bank of England, has spoken about the changing distribution of global power.
During a speech in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he received widespread praise for condemning economic pressure from large powers against smaller countries.
His remarks drew a rebuke from Trump.
"Canada lives off the United States," Trump said after the speech. "Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."
On Sunday, the White House did not immediately respond to the address.
Carney's comments came days after he secured a government majority after winning a snap election, with opposition Conservatives pushing him to conclude a trade deal with the US, one of his promises in last year's election.
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A review of the current version of the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the US, and Mexico is scheduled for July.
In his address, Carney said he wants to attract new investment to Canada, double clean energy capacity, and reduce trade barriers within the country. He also emphasized increasing Canada's defense spending, lowering taxes, and efforts to improve housing affordability.