The era of friendly trade between Canada and the United States is officially dead, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who delivered a blistering response to President Trump’s latest tariffs. In a dramatic shift, Carney declared that Canada would no longer tolerate economic aggression from its southern neighbor, signaling the end of a 60-year partnership.
The breaking point came when Trump announced a permanent 25% tax on Canadian auto imports, a move Carney called a direct assault on his country’s economy. “The relationship we once had with the U.S. is over,” he told reporters in Ottawa, referring to the landmark 1965 auto trade deal as a relic of the past.
Carney didn’t mince words—Canada will strike back. His government plans to impose carefully calculated counter-tariffs designed to hit the U.S. where it hurts while shielding Canadian industries. “Our response will have maximum impact on them and minimum damage here,” he vowed.
The Prime Minister accused Trump of trying to bully Canada into submission. “The U.S. wants to weaken us, to break us, so they can dictate terms,” he said. “That will never happen. We will protect our workers, our industries, and our sovereignty.”
Though Carney admitted the road ahead would be rough—warning of “dark days” for the Canadian economy—he insisted the country was ready to stand firm. “We’ve learned we can’t trust the U.S. anymore,” he said. “Now, we must look after ourselves and find new allies.”
His speech hinted at a major economic pivot, with Canada likely to seek stronger trade ties beyond North America. The message was clear: after decades of cooperation, Canada is done playing by Washington’s rules.
