Canadian PM calls Canada’s economic ties with US a 'weakness' that must change

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for changes to Canada’s economic ties to the United States in a video address released Sunday night. 

He also discussed his government’s attempts to fortify the Canadian economy with new investments and signing trade deals with other countries. 

What is Carney saying about economic relations between Canada and the U.S.?

What they're saying:

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in his brief address over the weekend that the country’s economic connections to the U.S. were once a strength but have become a weakness that he said must be corrected, The Associated Press reported. 

"The world is more dangerous and divided," Carney said. "The U.S. has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression.

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"Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become weaknesses. Weaknesses that we must correct."

The Canadian prime minister also explained that tariffs enforced by President Donald Trump are impacting the auto and steel industries, adding that businesses are restricting investments. 

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According to the AP, many Canadians expressed irritation by Trump’s comments hinting that Canada becomes the 51st state, with Carney acknowledging plans to give Canadians regular updates on his government’s efforts to diversify away from the U.S.

The AP noted that a review of the current version of the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico is set for July.