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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives on Parliament Hill to chair a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Canada-US Relations and National Security. Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/AP/dpa
Keystone
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed his country to a realignment of relations with the US. "It is obvious that the United States is no longer a reliable partner," he said in the capital Ottawa.
"The old relationship we had with the United States, which was based on ever deeper integration of our economies and close security and military cooperation, is over." Earlier on Thursday, Carney had discussed Canada's response to the latest developments in the trade dispute with cabinet members.
Following the announcement of additional tariffs on car imports by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Carney believes it is unclear what the US will do next. But the Canadians have their fate in their own hands. Canada must dramatically reduce its dependence on the US and align its trade relations with other countries, Carney said. "In the weeks, months and years ahead, we must fundamentally transform our economy." The goal, he said, is to ensure that Canada can succeed in a drastically changed world.
"I reject all attempts to weaken Canada, to wear us down, to break us so that America can own us." That will never happen. Trump had repeatedly described Canada as the "51st state" of the USA and stoked fears of annexation with his trade war, including punitive tariffs.
Canada will fight the US tariffs with retaliatory measures "that will have maximum impact in the United States and minimal impact here in Canada". Above all, however, the Canadian economy would be rebuilt, Carney promised.
On the online platform Truth Social, Trump recently threatened Canada and the European Union with even more extensive tariffs than previously planned.
28.03.2025, 11:20
