Mark Carney has slapped down Donald Trump as the split between the two leaders grows amid the growing trade war between Canada and the US.
On Monday, Trump said he would be hiking tariffs on Canadian cars and trucks, as well as auto parts, from 25% to 50% from January 1.
This was the latest developing in a trade war that has developed between the North American neighbours after talks between the two collapsed last week.
Canada walked away from the negotiations on Friday, moments before the US’s deadline applying a 50% levy on nearly $20bn (C$28bn; £14bn) of Canadian imports.
Canadian prime minister Carney vowed that his country would match the US levies “dollar for dollar”, and has shown no sign of backing down in the face of Trump.
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The French-speaking province of Quebec has proved to be a key stumbling block in trade negotiations, as many believed the US’s proposals would have weakened the region’s language and Francophone culture.
On Monday, Carney toured a shipyard with Quebec’s premier, where he told reporters he “could not accept” any trade deal that would have weakened French language protections.
The Canadian prime minister delivered a brutal slap down of Trump as well, as he lumped America in with Russia as effectively the only two countries who were not “reliable partners” in the world.
Responding to a question about whether he would consider cutting off electricity supplies and access to critical minerals to the US from provinces such as Quebec, Carney said there was a “big difference” between the governments of Canada, America and Quebec.
He continued: “We have positive goals, we are focusing on building Quebec and Canada strong and that is a positive approach.
“We are seeking reliable partners around the world, and we’re finding them, except in the U.S. and Russia.”
Carney added that Canada “has a range of options” and reiterated how important the country was for the US.
“We’re staying calm and positive, we will cooperate in order build real jobs and careers here in Quebec and in Canada,” he added.
“And if we need to do more, then we’ll see. But we’ll begin with positive initiatives.”
Since he was elected as prime minister, Carney has been one of the most outspoken critics of Trump, particularly in regards to his tariffs and trade wars.
Back in January, Carney gave a brutally honest assessment of a world with Trump as US president.
Carney told those in attendance that the “rules-based international order” was over, saying that the world was “in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.”
Canada has also made clear its intentions to seek closer ties with other major trading partners, such as the European Union.
European leaders are more than happy to strengthen an alliance across the pond amid growing uncertainty over the US’s commitment to NATO and the security of Europe.
There have even been half-joking suggestions that Canada could join the European Union, something that people don’t seem to be opposed to.
Carney said on Monday that in the autumn, Canada would begin “intense discussions” with the EU to “build a much stronger and deeper economic and security partnership.”
In May, Carney became the first non-European leader to attend a meeting of the European Political Community.
Speaking at the meeting’s opening on Monday, Carney delivered a powerful address in which he said Europe will not “submit to a more transactional, insular and brutal world.”
He told those in attendance that it was his “strong personal view that the international order will be rebuilt, but it will be rebuilt out of Europe.”
