The tensions between the US and Canada have boiled over into personal confrontations between diplomats. The newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has roared at U.S. President Donald Trump, in a major departure from the long standing cordial relationship that was forged by the two countries between them.
It has been a remarkable political comeback for Mark Carney in Canada’s recent parliamentary elections. Carney had no previous experience of being in elected office when he took over as Liberal Party leader in February and a former central banker with global handling. By such swift rise he reached his high point — a strong electoral result, restoring the fortunes of the party after a bad dip.
A packed arena in Ottawa erupted with cheers as CBC projected national broadcaster national broadcaster CBC and expectant prime minister to be a Liberal win on election night. Carney struck an defiant tone in the victory speech. Instead of a celebration, he spoke of mounting pressure from the United States, of growing external threats and called for Canadian unity. Another way of being humble is about ‘recognizing that part of the responsibility of government is to be prepared for the worst, and not to hope for the best,’ he said. “What I’ve warned for months — America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country — and never.”
Carney’s remarks were clear: he thinks the threat the United States under President Trump presents is dangerous and deliberate. “Threats, these are not idle,” he continued. “Never, that will never, that will never ever happen. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us.”
This marks a departure of sorts from the Canada’s usual diplomatic language toward the U.S. Such inflammatory actions and comments have followed after the president. Most significantly, Trump suggested Canadian annexation as the 51st state — an idea which many Canadians found offensive, not to mention provocative. Over and over, he has mocked Canadian leadership, calling former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the ‘Governor of Canada’ and that the U.S. spends $200 billion annually ‘supporting’ the northern neighbor.
These comments have had major implications. A surge of patriotism has taken over, as Canada’s resentment towards the U.S. grows. Canadians have begun to cancel their trips south of the border, shunning American goods and adopting a ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality. The sense of urgency which voter turnout this year reflected was seen in the fact that 7.3 million Canadians had already cast their ballots early — a record.
And in his post election speech, Carney remained aware about this growing national sentiment. But we shouldn’t forget the lessons of American betrayal,” he said, and added that “we are over the shock of the American betrayal.” Above all we have to take care of each other and we have to look out for ourselves.”
Carney also stated in his remarks that any future negotiations with President Trump would be done on equal terms. “I will sit down with President Trump, to discuss the future economic and security relationship between two sovereign nations,” he added. “We’ll already know with our full knowledge that there are many, many other options than the United States of building prosperity for all Canadians.”
He also asked Canadians to remain united during a crisis he saw as national. He added, now united, we are buying Canadian in the face of this crisis. “We are trying to see what this country has to offer for me.” In a crisis we did not create, we are supporting our friends and our neighbors in the crosshairs of President Trump.”
It was a message not only of condemnation against Trump’s behaviour but also a call to arms against Canada, to reclaim their place and reignite their sovereignty and position in a rapidly changing world. Carney’s stance in how the world grapples with rising nationalism and unstable international relationships is a hint that Canada is ready to break its path by itself — from having an integrated relationship with the US to prioritising the national resilience and strategic diversification.
But one thing is clear: Mark Carney is not eager to let Canada be a lesser player in U.S.-Canada relations and the future of U.S. and Canada relations is unclear. Canadian foreign policy has been pushed to a new step with jabs, threats, and provocations. It is a relationship in uncharted waters, with this leading to a rupture or renegotiation, whichever happens.