Carney: Canada's ties with the United States have become a weakness

(Patria) - Canada's close ties with the United States were once a strength, but have become a weakness, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday in a video message praising the heroism of military leaders who fought against the American invasion more than two centuries ago, Reuters reported.

Holding a small toy soldier depicting General Isaac Brock, a British military leader who died defending what is now Canada from an American invasion in the War of 1812, Carney said Canada cannot control the disruptions coming from its American neighbor and cannot bet its future on the hope that they will suddenly stop.

"The situation today seems unique, but we have faced such threats before," Carney said, referring to Brock and several other Canadian historical figures, such as Chief Tecumseh, who united the Great Lakes indigenous peoples to resist American expansion in 1812.

Carney, who secured a parliamentary majority for his Liberal government last week, said his election victory would help him deal more effectively with the trade war initiated by US President Donald Trump.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sharply criticized Canada last week as a difficult trading partner.

Canada, which sends almost seventy percent of its exports to the United States, is due to review the trilateral free trade agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada this year. US officials suggest they want major changes to the pact.

In addition to imposing tariffs on Canadian exports such as steel, aluminum, and automobiles, Trump has repeatedly considered annexing Canada and turning it into the 51st US state.

Carney's office did not immediately respond to Reuters questions about why he released the video now and why he praised figures who resisted American expansionism.

Carney said he plans to address Canadians regularly in the coming weeks and months to inform them about what his government is doing to grow the Canadian economy and defend its sovereignty.

"This is our country, this is our future, we are taking back control," he said.