Prime Minister Mark Carney told Canadians in a video address that the once-strength of close economic and political ties with the United States has become a weakness, and that Canada cannot rely on those ties to shield it from current disruptions. In the message, delivered on Sunday, Carney held up a small toy soldier representing General Isaac Brock, the British military commander who died defending what is now Canada from a U.S. invasion during the War of 1812.
Carney said Canada is unable to control the disturbances coming from its U.S. neighbours and cannot build its future on the assumption that such disruptions will cease. He framed the situation as one the country has faced before, citing historical figures including Brock and Chief Tecumseh, who united Indigenous Nations across the Great Lakes region in resistance to U.S. expansion in 1812.
The prime minister, who secured a parliamentary majority for his Liberal government in an election last week, has said that his electoral victory will strengthen his hand in addressing the trade frictions initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. The same trade tensions have included tariffs on Canadian exports such as steel, aluminum and autos, measures Carney referenced implicitly in describing external pressures.
The relationship with the United States also plays out in the review of the trilateral U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement scheduled for this year. Canada sends nearly 70% of its exports to the United States, and U.S. officials have indicated they seek significant changes to the pact. Carney noted those dynamics while cautioning Canadians that reliance on the status quo is not a viable strategy.
Last week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized Canada as a difficult trading partner, comments that reflect the heightened tensions between the two countries. President Trump has at times floated extreme rhetoric such as the idea of annexing Canada and making it the 51st U.S. state, a notion that Carney’s remarks implicitly countered by emphasizing Canadian sovereignty.
Carney’s office did not immediately respond to inquiries about the timing of the video or why he chose to praise historical figures who opposed U.S. expansionism. The prime minister said he will deliver regular addresses in the coming weeks and months to inform Canadians about government efforts to grow the economy and defend sovereignty.
"It’s our country, it’s our future, we are taking back control," Carney said in the address, promising ongoing communication about the government’s actions.
Investment note included in original message: The address was followed by a segment promoting InvestingPro, which framed the best investment opportunities of 2026 as arising from better data and AI-powered insights. The segment emphasized that institutional-grade data and AI can help investors identify opportunities, although it did not promise guaranteed winners.
This message from the prime minister underscores the intersection of international relations and Canada’s export-driven sectors. Industries directly affected by the current tensions include steel, aluminum and automotive manufacturing, as well as broader export-oriented businesses given the country’s dependence on the U.S. market.