Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has declared that his administration is ready to fight and win a trade war with former U.S. President Donald Trump should he return to power in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections later this year.
In his first major foreign policy statement since taking office, Carney vowed to protect Canada’s economic interests and ensure that the country would not be “bullied” or economically exploited by any external force, regardless of who becomes the next U.S. President. Addressing a packed press conference at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Carney emphasized that his government would stand firm against any trade tariffs, restrictions, or economic hostilities imposed by the United States if Donald Trump regains power.
“I want to make this clear: Canada will not be intimidated by anyone, not even our closest ally. If Trump wins the U.S. election and resumes his old trade policies, we will respond aggressively to protect our economy, our industries, and our people,” Carney stated.
Carney Preparing Canada for a Possible Trade War
Carney’s strong stance comes amid growing concerns among Canadian business leaders and government officials that a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House could reignite protectionist trade policies that were previously witnessed during Trump’s first presidency between 2017 and 2021.
During that period, Trump imposed heavy tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and other key exports, triggering a sharp economic tension between the two neighboring countries. The impact was severe, with thousands of Canadian jobs affected, major exports blocked, and diplomatic relations strained.
In his press conference, Carney reiterated that his administration would not repeat the mistakes made in the past when Canada failed to respond decisively to Trump’s trade war. Instead, Carney vowed to retaliate with equal force if any form of economic aggression was launched against Canada.
“We are not here to pick a fight, but if anyone — including Mr. Trump — thinks they can push Canada around again, they will be very mistaken. Our government is ready to defend every Canadian business and every worker from unfair trade practices,” Carney stated firmly.
The Prime Minister further emphasized that Canada will strengthen trade relations with other global economic powers, including the European Union, China, and Southeast Asia, to reduce its dependence on the United States. Carney believes that diversifying trade partnerships would put Canada in a stronger position should Trump return to power and enforce harsh trade policies once again.
Canada-U.S. Relations Under Carney’s Leadership
The relationship between Canada and the U.S. has always been complex, and with Carney now in power, analysts predict a major shift in approach, especially if Trump wins the U.S. presidential election in November 2025.
During Trump’s previous presidency, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum, citing “national security concerns.” This caused billions of dollars in losses for Canadian exporters and significantly strained diplomatic relations between Ottawa and Washington.
Carney, however, has vowed that his administration will not tolerate a repeat of that scenario. Instead, his government is already working on policy frameworks that would allow Canada to impose retaliatory tariffs, cut economic reliance on the U.S., and strengthen domestic industries to avoid future vulnerability.