Topics: Politics, Donald Trump, Money, World News
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has hit out at Donald Trump as he announced the country's long-standing relationship with the US is 'over'.
Just weeks into his job as PM, Carney has made his thoughts on Trump's tariffs clear as he slammed the move and declared Canada would be imposing its own retaliatory tariffs on the US.
It's a volatile time for the country, and Trump has been accused of setting off a global trade war as he slapped tariffs on the likes of Mexico, Canada and the EU.
Carney spoke to reporters in Ottawa, suggesting that Canada will need to 'fundamentally reimagine' its economy following the news that Trump will be targeting imported vehicles and vehicle parts with a 25 percent tax, a move which he noted will be 'permanent'.
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The new tariffs will come into effect on 2 April, but the US has already partially imposed a blanket 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods.
Now, the Canadian Liberal Party leader is seeking to have an economy whereby the country can stand on its own two feet.
Posting on his platform Truth Social, Trump claimed: "If the European Union works with Canada in order to do economic harm to the USA, large scale Tariffs, far larger than currently planned, will be placed on them both."
The NDP, a left-wing party in Canada, has described the US' tariffs as a 'betrayal'.
Jagmeet Singh, the NDP leader, said: "Donald Trump has started an illegal trade war with Canada for absolutely no reason."
Speaking to reporters in the country's capital, Carney said: "It’s clear the US is no longer a reliable partner.
"It is possible that with comprehensive negotiations, we could reestablish an element of confidence but there will be no going backwards."
He added: "There’s even more to do, and that’s why I chose to go to France and the United Kingdom, two long-standing and reliable partners, friends and allies of Canada."
The PM noted that Canada needs to 'dramatically reduce' its reliance on the US after Trump previously claimed that he wanted it to be the 51st state of America.
Carney previously stated: "America is not Canada, and Canada never, ever will be part of America in any way, shape or form."
Speaking to CNBC, the premiere for Ontario, Doug Ford, echoed the sentiment, as he said: "Canada is not for sale and will never be the 51st state.
"Our supply sector is so intertwined, you can't unscramble an egg."
