Thu Mar 27 20:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Canada Declares End of Era of Close US Ties After Trump Imposes Auto Tariffs
**Ottawa, Canada** – Prime Minister Mark Carney declared Thursday that the era of deep economic, security, and military cooperation between Canada and the United States is over, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of steep tariffs on Canadian auto imports. Trump’s 25% levy, set to take effect next week, threatens hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs in the automotive sector.
Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau on March 14th, cut short his election campaign to address the crisis, convening a cabinet meeting to strategize a response. He denounced the tariffs as unjustified breaches of existing trade agreements and vowed to retaliate with counter-tariffs designed to maximize impact on the US while minimizing harm to Canada. “Our response…is to fight, is to protect, is to build,” Carney stated.
While the White House has reportedly contacted Carney to schedule a call, the Prime Minister has made it clear that substantive trade negotiations are contingent upon a change in US behaviour. He demands respect for Canada’s sovereignty, specifically citing Trump’s repeated annexation threats as unacceptable. “For me, there are two conditions…First: Respect, respect for our sovereignty,” Carney emphasized. He added that a comprehensive discussion encompassing economic and security issues is necessary before any meaningful negotiations can begin. The lack of an immediate call between the two leaders marks a significant departure from typical post-election protocol.
First Piper 