Canadian PM Mark Carney Announces Break in Relations with US Over Trump Tariffs

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In response to the high tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Thursday, March 27, that Canada’s traditional relationship with the US is “over.” The tariffs, particularly the 25% tariff on auto imports announced by Trump, are prompting Canada to reconsider its economic strategies and look for "reliable" trade partners.

Automobiles are Canada’s second-largest export, and the sector provides jobs for 125,000 Canadians directly and nearly 500,000 in related industries. Carney emphasized that the US tariffs, which are meant to boost US manufacturing, could hurt automakers relying on global supply chains.

“The old relationship we had with the United States, based on deep economic integration and close security and military cooperation, is over,” Carney said. He further stated, “There will come a time for a broad renegotiation of our security and trade ties.”

In retaliation, Carney announced that Canada would take trade actions targeting the US, aiming for maximum impact on the US while minimizing damage to Canada. “We will fight back with everything we have to secure the best deal for Canada. We will build a stronger, more independent future for our country,” he said, though he did not reveal the specifics of Canada’s response.

He also noted that Canada would need to adapt, particularly in industries like automotive manufacturing, to reduce its reliance on the US and establish more dependable trading relationships. As Canada looks for new economic alliances, the future of US-Canada relations stands uncertain, marking the end of an era and the start of a new chapter in the nation's economic history.