Canada is playing a risky game.
OTTAWA, CANADA – In a dramatic shift that could reshape North American trade, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared on Thursday that the long-standing alliance between the United States and Canada has come to an end—just as President Donald Trump prepares to implement new tariffs on foreign auto imports.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney criticized Trump’s plan to impose a 25% tariff on foreign-made cars, calling it a “crisis” for Canada and signaling a full-blown trade confrontation with Washington.
“The old relationship we had with the United States… is over,” Carney said.
The prime minister, who is campaigning amid a national election, told Canadians that the days of relying on American economic partnership are finished. He insisted that Canada must become more self-reliant and less dependent on U.S. trade.
Trump’s Tariffs Aim to Protect American Workers
President Trump’s America First trade policy has long focused on protecting U.S. industries from unfair foreign competition. The new auto tariff is designed to revitalize domestic manufacturing, secure supply chains, and bring jobs back to American soil.
While Wall Street firms voiced concern—General Motors shares dropped 7.4% and Ford fell nearly 4%—many American workers and small businesses support the move, calling it a necessary correction after decades of one-sided trade deals.
Canada Threatens Retaliation, Seeks New Trade Partners
Carney, visibly frustrated by Trump’s tough stance, warned of retaliatory measures:
“We will fight back with everything we have… and reduce our reliance on the United States,” he said.
He also called for a “broad renegotiation” of trade and security ties with America—marking a historic departure from the close cooperation that once defined U.S.-Canada relations.
Carney told Canadians that a new era must begin—one where Canada builds trade ties elsewhere, even if that means reshaping its economy from the ground up. He promised action from government, business, and labor to confront what he called an “economic emergency.”
Tough Talk, Uncertain Results
Carney confirmed that he hopes to speak with President Trump “in the next day or two,” and hinted that top Canadian officials may travel to Washington in a last-ditch effort to ease tensions.
But Trump, who has long criticized globalist trade deals, shows no signs of backing down.
“The days of America getting taken advantage of are over,” a senior Trump official said earlier this week.
A Defining Moment in U.S.–Canada Relations
As the world watches, one thing is clear: President Trump is putting American workers first, and not everyone is happy about it. Carney’s declaration may signal the end of an era—but for millions of Americans, it may also mark the beginning of a renewed, self-reliant economy.