Canada's PM Says Economic Ties With US A 'Weakness'; Needs Correction

Ottawa: Tensions are once again escalating between Canada and the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday in a video address stated that economic relations with the United States were once a strength but have now become a weakness and needs to be corrected. In the address, he also said that his government is working to strengthen the Canadian economy by attracting new investment and establishing trade agreements with other countries.

What did Canadian PM say about US relations?

Mark Carney in a 10-minute address said that his government is working to strengthen the Canadian economy by attracting new investment and signing trade agreements with other countries.

"The world is more dangerous and divided," Carney said. 

"The US has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression. Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become weaknesses. Weaknesses that we must correct, he added.

What did Carney say about tariffs?

Mark Carney explained that tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump have impacted workers in the auto and steel industries. The uncertainty has made companies reluctant to invest.

Many Canadians are also upset by Donald Trump's comment suggesting Canada become the 51st state of the United States. 

Carney also sharply criticized Trump's statement.

"Security can't be achieved by ignoring the obvious or downplaying the very real threats that we Canadians face," he said. 

"I promise you I will never sugarcoat our challenges," he added.

Who is Mark Carney?

Carney has served as governor of the Central Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. In January, he received widespread praise for his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he criticized the economic pressure exerted by larger nations on smaller ones.

Carney's comments come as he secured a majority in the recent election. The opposition Conservative Party is pressuring him to strike a trade deal with the United States. The existing free trade agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico is due to be reviewed in July.

Carney said that America will return to normal again, not a viable strategy. It's not worth dwelling on nostalgia. America has changed, and we must respond. This is about taking back control of our security, borders, and future.