Prime Minister Mark Carney says he studied the possibility of U.S.-led military action in Canada.
In a lengthy New York Times interview published Wednesday, Carney declined to discuss in detail what that examination involved, but he suggested it would be irresponsible not to prepare for what he called “extreme tail risk.”
“I think you have a responsibility in these roles to look at extreme tail risk,” Carney told the Times. “That’s just risk management. That’s not a base case, but it would be irresponsible not to (prepare).”
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly mused about turning Canada into the 51st state and while he ruled out using military force to annex Canada in January 2025, he has said he would consider using “economic force” to get Canada to become part of the United States.
Carney also spoke in the interview about Canada’s plans to reduce its reliance on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service.
He also discussed Canada considering alternatives to buying American F-35 fighter jets.
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Canada’s plan to procure a full fleet of F-35 stealth fighters remains under a political review by Carney’s government. The review was launched more than a year ago in response to the trade war started by Trump.
The trade war between Canada and the United States has been escalating after efforts to reach a trade deal failed in mid-August.
The day after talks broke down, Trump imposed 50 per cent duties on $28 billion in Canadian goods, while Canada implemented retaliatory tariffs in early September.
The president also signed an order to identify and remove products of Canadian origin from U.S. government procurement systems.
The New York Times report said Carney disclosed that he and Trump speak “frequently” even after trade talks collapsed, something the prime minister has said multiple times in recent weeks.
At a news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month, Carney said he speaks to Trump regularly and that they can “compartmentalize.” He added that part of their responsibility is to work together to resolve global issues like the war in Ukraine.
Earlier Wednesday, the president claimed on social media that Canada is “destroying itself” by allowing millions of people into the country “essentially unchecked and unvetted.”
Trump provided no evidence for these claims but called it a “Liberal takeover that will end very badly.”
Carney and Trump did not meet when they both attended the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly this week. It was Carney’s first trip to the United States since trade negotiations fell apart last month.
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Isabelle
September 24, 2026 at 1:42 am
Trumpedo is a repulsive, lying, sick scumbag.
There is no reason for Canada, & Prime Minister Carney, to engage in his silly games.
There are 192 other countries in the world, with 8 billion people with whom Canada can trade & deal with. NO ONE needs the US.
USA imports 75% of our goods and services good luck trying to replace that, give your head a shake.
I believe Carney should come clean to tax payers about the Gordie Howe Bridge deal and the terms that were not disclosed regarding the recent failed U.S deal. He said he was the only person who could get a deal with trump and so far we have nothing but tariffs costing us all money and jobs.
I see. I know. Alright. Fine. Aldjdjaksncjkskandncjsns ddnn,skandna
Carney says he “studied”? I hope he did a better job than that plagiarised university thesis he submitted to get his degree.
Trumpedo is a repulsive, lying, sick scumbag.
There is no reason for Canada, & Prime Minister Carney, to engage in his silly games.
There are 192 other countries in the world, with 8 billion people with whom Canada can trade & deal with. NO ONE needs the US.
Why are libs so facking dumb? In their DNA, offspring of two other dummies, dropped on head as a kid?
Honestly, what an IDIOT…
Did any of the Elbows up Crowd figure out that Carney is like a fish out of water yet ?
He’s digging Canada into a bigger hole one day at a time does interviews with any one who’s prepared to listen but Zero in the house of commons. Let it sink in boomers he’s fake.
Carney really needs to stop antagonizing that baby in the Whitehouse.