Canada not as reliant on US economy as some think: Carney
By AFP
April 23, 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's comments came as Ottawa and Washington head toward fractious negotations on the future of a North American free trade agreement - Copyright AFP ANDREJ IVANOV
There is a “misimpression” about the extent of Canada’s economic reliance on the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday, again pushing back on suggestions Ottawa must capitulate to Washington’s trade demands.
Canada and the United States are heading towards fractious negotiations on the future of a North American free trade agreement that President Donald Trump signed and praised in his first term, but now says is “irrelevant.”
The Trump administration’s key trade figures — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer — have been highly critical of Canada’s posture ahead of talks set to accelerate over the coming weeks.
Appearing in Congress on Wednesday, Lutnick defended Washington’s tough rhetoric and said “Canada’s economy leans on the incredible 30 trillion dollar economy of America.”
Carney told reporters on Thursday that “there is a misimpression, by some, of the degree to which we are reliant on the United States.”
“Yes, it is our biggest trading partner by far. We are also their second-biggest trading partner. There is a symbiosis between the two,” the prime minister said.
Canada’s “destiny is first and foremost going to be determined by what we do here.”
Trump has repeatedly said the US economy does not need anything Canada produces and told the World Economic Forum in January that “Canada lives because of the United States.”
Greer’s comments about Canada have been more muted.
He said this month that “pillars” of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are functioning reasonably well and would likely be preserved, while stressing substantial parts of the deal need to be changed.
Both Greer and Lutnick on Wednesday voiced anger over an Ontario provincial government decision to ban the sale of US liquor and wine in retaliation for Trump’s steel and auto tariffs, which are hurting the economy of Canada’s largest province.
Lutnick told Congress the ban was “insulting and disrespectful to America.”
Greer told US lawmakers “there may have to be an enforcement action to deal with this issue,” an apparent reference to dispute mechanisms within the USMCA.
Asked about Ontario’s US alcohol ban on Thursday, Carney said it was a provincial decision but noted US breaches of the USMCA are undeniable.
“The tariffs on steel, the tariffs on aluminum, the tariffs on automobiles…those are violations of our trade deal,” Carney said.
By AFP
April 23, 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's comments came as Ottawa and Washington head toward fractious negotations on the future of a North American free trade agreement - Copyright AFP ANDREJ IVANOV
There is a “misimpression” about the extent of Canada’s economic reliance on the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday, again pushing back on suggestions Ottawa must capitulate to Washington’s trade demands.
Canada and the United States are heading towards fractious negotiations on the future of a North American free trade agreement that President Donald Trump signed and praised in his first term, but now says is “irrelevant.”
The Trump administration’s key trade figures — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer — have been highly critical of Canada’s posture ahead of talks set to accelerate over the coming weeks.
Appearing in Congress on Wednesday, Lutnick defended Washington’s tough rhetoric and said “Canada’s economy leans on the incredible 30 trillion dollar economy of America.”
Carney told reporters on Thursday that “there is a misimpression, by some, of the degree to which we are reliant on the United States.”
“Yes, it is our biggest trading partner by far. We are also their second-biggest trading partner. There is a symbiosis between the two,” the prime minister said.
Canada’s “destiny is first and foremost going to be determined by what we do here.”
Trump has repeatedly said the US economy does not need anything Canada produces and told the World Economic Forum in January that “Canada lives because of the United States.”
Greer’s comments about Canada have been more muted.
He said this month that “pillars” of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are functioning reasonably well and would likely be preserved, while stressing substantial parts of the deal need to be changed.
Both Greer and Lutnick on Wednesday voiced anger over an Ontario provincial government decision to ban the sale of US liquor and wine in retaliation for Trump’s steel and auto tariffs, which are hurting the economy of Canada’s largest province.
Lutnick told Congress the ban was “insulting and disrespectful to America.”
Greer told US lawmakers “there may have to be an enforcement action to deal with this issue,” an apparent reference to dispute mechanisms within the USMCA.
Asked about Ontario’s US alcohol ban on Thursday, Carney said it was a provincial decision but noted US breaches of the USMCA are undeniable.
“The tariffs on steel, the tariffs on aluminum, the tariffs on automobiles…those are violations of our trade deal,” Carney said.
US doesn’t dictate terms of trade talks: Carney
YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF ME
ByAFP
April 23, 2026
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney. — © AFP JUNG Yeon-je
The United States does not get to dictate the terms of upcoming trade talks, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday, when asked about reports that Washington wanted an “entry fee” before starting negotiations.
The United States and Canada are set to hold talks on revising a North American free trade agreement, a pact President Donald Trump signed and praised during his first term but now dismisses as “irrelevant.”
Quoting multiple Canadian sources, Canada’s public broadcaster CBC reported Wednesday that Trump’s team wants an “entry fee,” or concessions, from Canada before starting talks on revising the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Prominent Canadian politician and former Quebec premier Jean Charest, now a member of Carney’s advisory council on US trade, told French public broadcaster Radio-Canada that Trump is demanding “concessions before we sit down at the table.”
Asked about those reports in Ottawa, and whether Canada should offer concessions in order to persuade the US to talk, Carney said “no.”
“It’s not a case of the US dictating the terms…It’s not a case of (one country) demanding and the other begging,” he said in French. “It’s a negotiation.”
The offices of US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the CBC’s report.
Since taking office just over one year ago, Carney has maintained a defiant tone in response to Trump’s threats, insisting Canada will not buckle when faced with unreasonable trade demands.
He has also said Canada needs to dramatically reduce its economic and security reliance on the United States.
In an address to the nation on Sunday, he said: “Many of our former strengths based on our close ties to America have become our weaknesses, weaknesses that we must correct.”
Trump has imposed punishing tariffs on key Canadian sectors but has so far adhered to most of the USMCA, meaning more than 85 percent of US-Canada trade has remained tariff-free.
His administration has said it wants major changes to the USMCA in revision talks said to intensify after July 1.
Trump’s auto and steel tariffs have hit particularly hard in Canada’s largest province, Ontario, where Premier Doug Ford has retaliated by blocking the sale of all US liquor and wine.
Lutnick called that ban “outrageous” in congressional testimony on Wednesday.
But Ford has said he will not waver until all US tariffs are removed.
“I don’t trust President Trump,” Ford said Wednesday.
ByAFP
April 23, 2026
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney. — © AFP JUNG Yeon-je
The United States does not get to dictate the terms of upcoming trade talks, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday, when asked about reports that Washington wanted an “entry fee” before starting negotiations.
The United States and Canada are set to hold talks on revising a North American free trade agreement, a pact President Donald Trump signed and praised during his first term but now dismisses as “irrelevant.”
Quoting multiple Canadian sources, Canada’s public broadcaster CBC reported Wednesday that Trump’s team wants an “entry fee,” or concessions, from Canada before starting talks on revising the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Prominent Canadian politician and former Quebec premier Jean Charest, now a member of Carney’s advisory council on US trade, told French public broadcaster Radio-Canada that Trump is demanding “concessions before we sit down at the table.”
Asked about those reports in Ottawa, and whether Canada should offer concessions in order to persuade the US to talk, Carney said “no.”
“It’s not a case of the US dictating the terms…It’s not a case of (one country) demanding and the other begging,” he said in French. “It’s a negotiation.”
The offices of US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the CBC’s report.
Since taking office just over one year ago, Carney has maintained a defiant tone in response to Trump’s threats, insisting Canada will not buckle when faced with unreasonable trade demands.
He has also said Canada needs to dramatically reduce its economic and security reliance on the United States.
In an address to the nation on Sunday, he said: “Many of our former strengths based on our close ties to America have become our weaknesses, weaknesses that we must correct.”
Trump has imposed punishing tariffs on key Canadian sectors but has so far adhered to most of the USMCA, meaning more than 85 percent of US-Canada trade has remained tariff-free.
His administration has said it wants major changes to the USMCA in revision talks said to intensify after July 1.
Trump’s auto and steel tariffs have hit particularly hard in Canada’s largest province, Ontario, where Premier Doug Ford has retaliated by blocking the sale of all US liquor and wine.
Lutnick called that ban “outrageous” in congressional testimony on Wednesday.
But Ford has said he will not waver until all US tariffs are removed.
“I don’t trust President Trump,” Ford said Wednesday.
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