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Mark Carney, Canada’s new prime minister, has dismissed the prospect of a full blown confrontation with the US as “unthinkable”, citing Nato’s doctrine of mutual defence.
Carney, talking throughout a whirlwind go to to London and Paris, was requested whether or not he had received assurances from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron that they’d “Canada’s again” if the US used financial drive “or extra” to annex its neighbour.
“All of us are in Nato and all of us respect article 5 of Nato,” he mentioned, referring to the alliance’s doctrine that an armed assault on one member would appeal to a response from others. The US, Canada, Britain and France are all Nato members.
Requested whether or not he was upset that Starmer had not held a joint press convention to publicly criticise US President Donald Trump’s threats to Canada, Carney replied: “We will rise up for ourselves.”
Talking throughout his first overseas journey since turning into Canada’s prime minister, Carney mentioned Trump’s suggestion the US would possibly annex it as a 51st state would “should cease” earlier than he can be ready to take a seat down and speak about future relations.
Trump has introduced 25 per cent tariffs on US imports from Canada, however backtracked this month by quickly exempting merchandise coated by a free commerce settlement between the 2 nations.
He has additionally introduced further levies on Canadian aluminium and metal. Canada has retaliated with its personal tariffs on US imports.
Carney conceded there have been “limits” to Canada’s willingness to match US tariffs greenback for greenback, given the relative measurement of the 2 economies.
“We received’t take any motion which we don’t assume will finally affect the US or is outright dangerous to Canada,” Carney mentioned. “There’s a restrict, full cease.”
Carney mentioned throughout his European journey, which included assembly King Charles at Buckingham Palace, that Canada was “probably the most European of non-European nations”.
The King, Canada’s head of state, wore a crimson tie for the event and Carney mentioned of the monarch: “Now we have a steadfast defender in our sovereign.”
Downing Avenue mentioned Starmer had “underlined that the UK and Canada are the closest of sovereign allies and associates”, in a discreet present of solidarity.
Nonetheless each Starmer and Macron are anxious to keep away from antagonising Trump as they search to steer him to offer safety ensures for any peace deal to finish Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. Each leaders additionally wish to keep away from additional US tariffs.
Carney, who was sworn in as Canada’s prime minister final week, succeeded Justin Trudeau.
The previous Financial institution of England governor faces a set of daunting challenges and should name a basic election in Canada earlier than October.
Nonetheless Trump’s election, and his threats to Canadian sovereignty and imposition of tariffs, has boosted Carney’s Liberal get together within the polls, demolishing a beforehand enormous lead for the opposition Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre.
Britain and Canada have an ongoing commerce dispute centered on beef and cheese, however the two nations are working collectively on safety points, together with efforts to safe a peace deal in Ukraine.
Earlier on Monday Carney mentioned in Paris that he intends to strengthen Canada’s relations with “dependable allies” in Europe.
Macron mentioned France and Canada have been “powers for peace” when it got here to the conflict in Ukraine, and would demand “clear commitments” from Russia forward of any peace deal.
Xavier Delgado of the Canada Institute on the Wilson Middle in Washington DC mentioned Carney’s journey mirrored a widely-held view that “the US as we speak will not be a dependable accomplice and ally”.
“As this era of stress with the US drags on, count on Canada to increase commerce relations with different allies and companions world wide,” he added.
