Mark Carney pushes new US-Canada trade partnership during New York speech

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a “new partnership” with the United States, saying closer cooperation could “help make America great again” as the global economy undergoes what he described as a “rupture”.

Speaking in New York on Thursday, Carney said the US was reshaping its commercial relationships and that Canada could play a key role in supporting American industries, including aluminium, automobiles and critical minerals.

Carney’s remarks come amid an ongoing trade dispute between Ottawa and Washington, as well as renewed concerns after US President Donald Trump previously suggested Canada could become the “51st state”.

The Canadian prime minister said the changing relationship with the US exposed “weaknesses we must correct” and warned that American tariffs had risen to levels not seen since the Great Depression.

Despite tensions, Carney struck a conciliatory tone towards Washington, describing the US as “the most dynamic, resilient and inventive country the world has ever known.”

He added that the founding values of the US including liberty, democracy, justice and openness “should continue to serve as guides to its future and that of the world.”

Carney also defended Canada’s efforts to diversify trade and security ties, noting his government had signed more than 20 economic and security agreements over the past year while seeking to reduce reliance on the US market.