Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday called for a renewed economic partnership with the United States, arguing that closer cooperation between the two neighbors would strengthen both economies and help support American growth.
Speaking in New York City, Carney said the global economy is undergoing a period of significant change as the United States reshapes its trade relationships. He argued that collaboration in key sectors such as aluminum, automobiles and critical minerals would benefit both countries.
The remarks came amid an ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States. Carney has pledged to double Canadian exports to alternative markets over the next decade and has signed more than 20 economic and security agreements during the past year as part of an effort to diversify Canada’s global partnerships.
At the same time, U.S. and Mexican officials were meeting in Mexico City to discuss potential revisions to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, with Canada currently excluded from those talks.
Carney reiterated concerns about recent shifts in U.S. trade policy, noting that tariffs have reached levels not seen since the Great Depression. He also referenced earlier comments he made following President Donald Trump’s suggestions that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, describing certain aspects of Canada’s dependence on the United States as vulnerabilities that require correction.
Earlier this year, speaking at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Carney warned that excessive reliance on major powers could create vulnerabilities for smaller nations and called for greater cooperation among middle powers.
Despite those concerns, Carney adopted a more conciliatory tone during his New York address, praising the United States as “the most dynamic, resilient and inventive country the world has ever known.”
He said the values upon which the United States was founded — liberty, democracy, justice and openness — should continue to guide both its future and that of the broader international community.
While acknowledging periodic disagreements between the two countries, Carney emphasized that Canada and the United States have historically found ways to resolve their differences and argued that a stronger, more independent Canada ultimately makes for a better ally.
“At a time of a global energy crisis, Canada provides the United States with reliable energy supplies and critical minerals that help power American growth,” he said.
Carney also addressed his January visit to China, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He described the trip as an effort to stabilize relations between the two countries after years of diplomatic strain under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
According to Carney, discussions with Xi focused in part on China’s growing role in the global financial system. He said he encouraged Chinese leaders to take greater responsibility in international monetary affairs and expand the role of China’s currency in global markets.
“They need to work more rapidly and more deliberately on it,” Carney said. “We need to help them move away from the margins.”
