Montreal (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has identified the US President Donald Trump as the single greatest threat to Canada’s economic stability, citing the continued escalation of the trade war initiated by the Republican leader.
Carney’s remarks came during a fiery federal leaders’ debate ahead of the April 28, 2025, Canada election, where he faced off with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP head Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois chief Yves-François Blanchet.
Carney emphasized the importance of unified action between Canada’s provinces and territories to fortify the national economy in the face of mounting US trade pressure. “The path forward requires cooperation at every level of government,” he said, warning that Trump’s protectionist stance could upend Canada’s economic momentum.
Leaders React to US Tariffs
Jagmeet Singh echoed the need for a calculated response to the White House’s aggressive tariffs, while Blanchet pressed for concrete support measures to help Canadians weather the economic storm.
Carney, who assumed office after Justin Trudeau stepped down in March, finds himself navigating a complex US-Canada dynamic, not only due to the trade conflict but also in response to inflammatory rhetoric from Trump, including his provocative remarks about making Canada the “51st state.”
The debate, hosted in Quebec, a pivotal province with 78 seats in the House of Commons, also highlighted language barriers, as Carney, not fluent in French, drew criticism, particularly in contrast to Poilievre’s confident command of the language.
A New US-Canada Framework Post-Election?
Carney has pledged to maintain Canada’s retaliatory tariffs, currently targeting over C$60 billion in American goods, until Washington lifts its trade restrictions. Acknowledging the financial strain on both sides, he suggested that Canada is willing to explore a broader redefinition of its economic and security relationship with the US following the election.
Meanwhile, the Conservative platform proposes a mutual rollback of tariffs, suggesting a clean-slate approach to restoring balance in cross-border trade. With just weeks to go until election day, the battle lines are clearly drawn: one side focused on resistance and resilience, the other on negotiation and reset.
