“Extreme Risk”: Carney Says Canada Considered the Possibility of U.S. Military Action

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government had considered the possibility of U.S. military action against Canada as an “extreme risk,” while noting that he remains in frequent contact with President Donald Trump despite deteriorating trade relations, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Asked whether he took Trump’s past suggestions that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state seriously, Carney said governments have a responsibility to prepare for unlikely but potentially serious scenarios.

“I think in these roles you have the responsibility to consider the unavoidable extreme risk,” he said, declining to give details about Canada’s preparations. “This is simply risk management. This is not a base case, but it would be irresponsible not to do this.”

Carney said he and Trump have spoken “often,” including several times since bilateral trade negotiations collapsed in August.

“From my perspective, we have a good relationship in the sense that we can call and talk to each other about problems,” he said.

Canada suspended negotiations on August 21 after Carney said Washington presented last-minute conditions that Ottawa considered unfair and economically harmful.

Carney also described efforts to reduce Canada’s dependence on American technology and suppliers, including plans to diversify away from Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network and a review of Canada’s planned purchase of 88 U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets.

He said Canada wants to deepen economic ties with other countries, including China, while ruling out closer defense ties with Beijing.