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Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s ties to the U.S. have become “weaknesses” that must be corrected, as workers in Canada’s auto, steel and lumber industries remain under threat due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
“The U.S. 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.”
The prime minister framed his video as a chance to talk to Canadians directly about the threats the country faces — and he said regular updates on Canada’s diversification efforts would be on the way.
“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 video comes just days after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick took a swipe at Canada’s trade strategy ahead of reviewing the current version of North America’s free trade agreement and blasted Ottawa’s trade partnership with China.
WATCH | What leverage does Canada have in tariff, trade talks?:
What leverage does Canada have in tariff, trade talks?
The U.S. and Canada held trade talks in Washington earlier this month, and a review of the CUSMA free trade agreement is scheduled for July. CBC’s Mike Crawley explains what leverage Canadian negotiators may have.
Lutnick responded to a suggestion from Canada’s former trade negotiator, Steve Verheul, that time is on the Canadians’ side because political pressure on the U.S. 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 said.
He then took a stab 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? China is entirely an export-driven economy, right? 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 the agreement, the Canadian government will 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, 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.
Carney highlights Isaac Brock
In his video, the prime minister highlighted a small statue of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock, a British soldier dubbed the “Hero of Upper Canada” during the War of 1812 against the United States.
Carney said actor Mike Myers gave him the statue just over a year ago.
“Brock was a hero who fought and gave his life for our forebearers in the War of 1812,” Carney said. “Before Canada even existed on paper, it had a shape in Brock’s imagination.”
“Faced with the threat of an American invasion, Brock built alliances across our land and inspired what would eventually become Canada.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted a small statue of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock in his social media video. (YouTube/Mark Carney)
Carney said the statue, which is on his desk in his office, reminds him “that when we’re united as Canadians, we can withstand anything.”
In closing, the prime minister said over the weeks and months ahead, “we’re gonna wanna talk with you again.”
“I know you have busy lives, and you don’t need daily interruptions from me. But the truth is, there’s a lot going on in the world, and not all of it is good,” Carney added.
“There’s much forward guidance to be found in our shared history. We will get through this because of who we have always been.”
