Prime Minister Mark Carney drew a line in the sand Thursday, telling reporters relations with the United States have fundamentally changed and “will never be the same again.”
Carney hosted an emergency Canada-US relations committee cabinet meeting Thursday morning after President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on auto imports.
Carney was scheduled to campaign in Quebec City on Thursday, but after Trump made his announcement late Wednesday afternoon, the Liberal leader changed his plans and following his evening rally in Kitchener, ON, headed to Ottawa instead.
He confirmed to reporters that he has not actually been in touch with the president since the auto tariffs announcement, but that could be possible in a day or two.
“Now the president of the United States is trying to fundamentally restructure his economy, that means our economy, and it means the global economy as well,” said Carney.
“I understand and respect his goal to support American workers, but I disagree with him that this is how to help. With time it will become apparent that these actions will end up hurting American workers and American consumers.”
“I reject any attempts to weaken Canada, to wear us down, to break us, so that America can own us. That will never happen.”
“We will fight the US tariffs, retaliatory trade actions of our own that will have maximum impact in the United States and minimum impacts here in Canada.”
“We must fundamentally reimagine our economy. The old relationship we had with the United States …. is over.”
“What exactly the United States does next is unclear, but what is clear is that we as Canadians have agency. We have power. We are masters in our own home.”
“It is clear that the United States is no longer a viable partner,” said Carney, adding that any future relationship with Canada’s southern neighbour will be “fundamentally different” than the one previously enjoyed on both sides.
“It’s never going to be the same.”
Carney, who was delivering his remarks as prime minister and not Liberal party leader, conflated the two and pivoted to campaign promises pertaining to protecting workers, tax cuts and building a new Canadian economy. He also touted the work he did “in the last nine days since becoming prime minister.”
Carney said the Liberal government would have a better idea of how to handle the situation after they see what Trump does next week.
“The federal government will do everything in its power to protect Canadian workers and businesses, we will be here for you every step of the way,” promised Carney.
“It's my solemn promise as your prime minister to do the same. It's my solemn promise that when President Trump threatens us again, we will fight back. We will fight back with everything we have to get the best deal for Canada.”