Canadian PM Says Canada’s Long-Standing Close Economic Ties with the United States Has Now Become a Serious Weakness That the Country Must Actively Fix

In a straightforward 10-minute video message released on Sunday, April 19, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a clear message to the people of Canada: the country’s heavy reliance on trade and economic connections with the United States used to be one of its greatest strengths, but that situation has now changed. He explained that these close ties have turned into a weakness, and Canada needs to take steps to correct it.

Prime Minister Carney, who previously served as the head of the Bank of Canada and later the Bank of England, spoke about how the world has become a more dangerous and divided place. He pointed out that the United States, under President Donald Trump, has dramatically shifted its trade policies. The U.S. has raised tariffs (extra taxes on imported goods) to levels not seen since the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s. These changes have created real problems for Canadian workers, especially in important industries like automobile manufacturing and steel production.

Because of the uncertainty caused by these new tariffs and the shifting relationship, many businesses in Canada are hesitant to make new investments. Carney described this as a “pall of uncertainty” hanging over everyone. He also mentioned that many ordinary Canadians feel upset and concerned about recent comments from President Trump suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States.

Rather than simply hoping things will go back to the way they were, Carney said Canada must take practical action. His government is working on several plans to make the economy stronger and more independent:

• Attracting new investments from around the world (not just from the U.S.)

• Signing trade agreements with other countries to reduce dependence on one partner

• Doubling the country’s clean energy capacity

• Removing trade barriers between different provinces inside Canada

• Increasing spending on defense and national security

• Cutting taxes in some areas

• Making housing more affordable for families

Carney promised to give Canadians regular, honest updates about these efforts. He stressed that Canada cannot simply ignore the challenges or downplay the threats it faces. “We have to take care of ourselves because we can’t rely on one foreign partner,” he said. “We can’t control the disruption coming from our neighbors… We can control what happens here. We can build a stronger country that can withstand disruptions from abroad.”

He reminded listeners that Canada has always been a good neighbor to the United States — standing together in conflicts like the two World Wars and the war in Afghanistan. However, he believes the United States has changed its approach, and Canada must respond accordingly. “The U.S. has changed and we must respond,” Carney stated. “It’s about taking back control of our security, our borders, and our future.”

In simple terms, the Prime Minister is saying that putting “all your eggs in one basket” with the U.S. economy is no longer safe. Instead of hoping the old friendly relationship returns or feeling nostalgic about the past, Canada needs a clear plan to become more self-reliant and build new partnerships elsewhere. This message comes shortly after Carney’s government secured a majority following recent elections, even as the opposition Conservative party is pressing him to negotiate a new trade deal with the United States. A review of the current North American trade agreement (which replaced NAFTA) is scheduled for July.