Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused President Donald Trump of “weaponizing” trade as tensions rose over U.S. tariff threats linked to Greenland.
Speaking to reporters, Carney said the use of tariffs as a political tool risks undermining the global trading system and damaging long-standing partnerships between allies. His comments came after Trump signaled that new trade measures could be imposed as leverage in negotiations involving Greenland.
Carney warned that turning trade into a geopolitical weapon could trigger retaliation and destabilize international markets. He said Canada supports firm but fair trade relations and called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue rather than unilateral action.
The dispute adds to growing transatlantic tensions, with European leaders also warning of strong countermeasures if the United States moves ahead with new tariffs. Markets and business groups are watching closely for signs of escalation.
00:00We are and I was interested that you said basically the old world's not coming back
00:03So you're not seeing this as a period we just have to get through a normalcy will return. I think the
00:10That is what that is our view
00:13And we were we regret it, but we're not going to sit around and and mourn it. We're acting
00:19And we're acting in a way both. It's in our interests, but we believe in a way with others
00:27That's building
00:29Perfectly in steps a new system. I'll give you one example on hand back which is
00:34We're members of we are members of trade agreements that comprise already 1.4 billion people around the world
00:40So we have the most extensive network
00:43We are trying with others to bring some of those networks together the most prominent example is the Trans-Pacific Partnership in the EU
00:51Acting of a bridge. It's it's not a direct benefit for Canada, but it is a benefit for Canada that these groups come together
00:58And Ngozi is here consistent with the WTO rules both of which are and in that way
01:05We're building back out amongst willing partners
01:08and
01:10You talked about the need not to put the sign in the window anymore to pretend that things are still the same
01:17Do you think to put it directly that the NATO alliance is still doing that still pretending it's the old transatlantic partnership when it's really kind of going well?
01:27I think we're clearly NATO is
01:31Experiencing a test right now
01:33And the first response to that test has to be to respond in a way that ensures this the security of the arctic in a robust way for
01:43for all
01:46Possibilities
01:47This is actually a point that we have been making in recent years. It's a point that I made at the NATO summit
01:53back in June which seemed like a pledging summit, but what also was a
01:57Was to get NATO policies in the right direction, so I think in the immediate term
02:03one of
02:04The imperatives is to reinforce things that Canada is doing Nordic Baltic Gate are doing the UK are doing other NATO partners France included in a
02:15comprehensive way that
02:17Provides much greater security in the Arctic that this is the test
02:21And so I wouldn't say the sign the NATO sign stays in the window
02:25But we've got to meet the meet the moment of that you also a big theme of your speech was the need for middle powers to work together
02:33But you've just been to the other great power to China and
02:36I think people very intrigued by seeing that meeting and some people say
02:42kind of that's a mistake really because you know you're gonna make it make yourself more dependent on China
02:48They're not that benign either
02:51The US will be very annoyed. What's what's the defense of what you're doing and what do you have to get out of it?
02:55Well, the first thing is to say it's not a defense. It's it's not I know the way you frame the question, but it's offense
03:02It's building out. It's it's something positive as opposed to
03:07Against we're for something as opposed to being against the second is
03:11There are very clear guardrails in that relationship. I spoke of calibration of relationships in my remarks. That's what I mean by it
03:19But within those clear guardrails are huge opportunities in energy both clean and conventional
03:24obviously in motor vehicles in agriculture in financial services all of which is mutually beneficial, so
03:31It's it's additive and look it's the second largest economy and it's our second largest trading partner
03:36We should have a strategic partnership with them in that
03:40In within those guardrails and that's what we've achieved and it is an interesting reversal though
03:44Because I think certainly during the Biden administration
03:46There was this sense that the Western world was trying to decouple from China or de-risk at least
03:53Yeah, and is now in this new world that really going to go into reverse and de-risking from China
03:58Because there are other risks is is less of a thing you need again many in this room. This is their livelihood
04:05You need a web of connections
04:07And to miss out in that web some of the largest ones United States. We already have that China India Mercosur
04:15European Union
04:17That's a mistake. That's not managing your relationships properly that makes you stronger makes you more resilient and then on top of that
04:24I'll give you again of all appeal since it's in the headlines to the Nordics
04:28Nordics plus Canada. It's 20% of global GDP
04:32It's not the first thing people would realize but that relationship which is deepening for security reasons because we're like-minded
04:40Those are the types of partnerships that I think we'll see more of and you've got a round of applause when you
04:45Said something strong about standing on principle on Greenland. Hmm
04:51Do you think?
04:53We can find an off ramp on that. I mean, I'm sure you'll you'll speak of it, but put it this way if there isn't an off ramp
04:59Where does this go? I?
05:01I strongly believe that there is a bet there's a better outcome that come from the discussions that have been catalyzed in an unusual way admittedly, but
05:11And we absolutely stand by the principles that are that are referenced
05:17that
05:19Solution starts with security and a security yes of Greenland, but more broadly of the Arctic
05:25Canada is Foursquare
05:28Contributing to that we're at the start of a major ramp up above and beyond so we'll be a major
05:34Contributor to that NATO has to deliver on that we're working intensively in order to do it as well
05:41Prosperity for the people of Greenland
05:44Once in the end it comes back to the people there and there are opportunities to do that in ways that would strengthen all of the alliance
05:52And when President Trump says oh, you know Greenland's under threat from Russia even from China. Is that for real?
06:01I would say that there are there are threat Russia is without question a threat in the Arctic without question
06:08Russia does lots of horrible things and I'll take the opportunity to
06:14to
06:15Condemn their unjustified and horrific assault on Ukraine almost at its fourth year
06:21They are a real threat in the Arctic one against we need to protect which is why we have
06:30364
06:31five-day air sea and land presence is why we're adding to our submarine fleet are adding to our
06:37Air fighter fleet why we're building out over-the-horizon radar to protect from Russian missile threats and others and why we will work with our NATO partners
06:47The threat is more
06:51Perspective than actual at this stage in terms of actual activity in the Arctic and we intend to to keep it that way
06:59Another big issue that's going to come up this week is this board of peace that President Trump is keen on
07:06I'm not sure whether it's for Gaza or for the entire world, but apparently Canada has been invited. Are you going to join?
07:13We have been invited and
07:15Let me start by I think we should recognize the progress that has been made
07:20in at least
07:24Getting to the towards the end of the first phase of this of this process and the activation if I can put it that way of the process to set up the board of peace is the start of phase two
07:35our
07:36View is and and that's to be welcomed and this is a this is a
07:41Positive vehicle our view is we need to work on the actual structure of the vehicle you just referenced is it for Gaza?
07:48Well, the UN
07:51Resolution Security Council resolution 2803
07:54References a board of peace for Gaza. That's where we see it becoming immediately operative
08:00And it needs to be in our view. It's better to be designed in that way for the immediate needs there
08:06There are many other needs around the world first point second point it needs to coincide with the immediate
08:13Full flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza
08:16We are still not where we need to be conditions still are horrific
08:20So that needs to come alongside we think there's aspects of the government
Comments