Canada's Carney Declares 'War' on US Over Trade Conflict; Ties Head Toward Catastrophe

Following the breakdown of trade negotiations between the United States and Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has declared "war" on the United States.

Experts note that accumulated tensions since the launch of the Donald Trump administration have exploded following this negotiation collapse, fundamentally shaking bilateral relations.

In a national address on the morning of the 22nd, immediately after the trade talks with the US fell through, Prime Minister Carney stated that Canada is "at war" with the US, adding, "If you are attacked, you are at war, and we have been attacked (by the US)."

He went on to claim that the Trump administration demanded a "bad deal," emphasizing, "We cannot accept what they put on the table, and we will not give up what they demanded."

Carney also announced plans to retaliate against additional high US tariffs with retaliatory tariffs of the same magnitude.

The stance effectively signals a transition to a full-scale confrontation, ruling out further negotiations with the US.

The relationship between the US and Canada, traditionally close allies and the closest of neighbors economically, socially, and culturally, is increasingly heading toward the worst possible scenario.

Bilateral ties began to seriously fracture in February of last year, shortly after President Trump took office, when he announced plans to impose so-called "fentanyl tariffs" on Canada, Mexico, and China.

Subsequently, applying Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, the US levied additional high tariffs on Canada's key industries—steel, automobiles, and lumber—delivering a severe blow to the Canadian economy. On top of this, the US has now slapped an additional 50% high tariff on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian imports.

Furthermore, President Trump has openly asserted that Canada should be incorporated as the 51st US state, rubbing salt into the wounds of Canadians.

In public settings, he has referred to Canadian leaders, including former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and incumbent Prime Minister Carney, as "US governors," and claimed that "Canada cannot survive without the US."

Consequently, public opinion in Canada is growing increasingly hardline, arguing that the country should no longer yield to US pressure, even if it means enduring considerable economic losses.

Following Carney's national address that day, messages of support poured in across political lines within the Canadian political arena.

However, outlooks suggest that if the closely intertwined US-Canadian relationship—militarily, economically, and geographically—is shaken, both nations could bear significant burdens.

In particular, Canada is expected to suffer a massive shock due to its high economic dependence on the US, coupled with the fact that many of its manufacturing companies rely on US-made parts.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.