Carney Says Canada Ready for Extreme US Military Scenario

By Sandra Rhodes (/journals/sandra-rhodes)

Canada is ready should the United States launch military action against its neighbor to the north.

That’s according to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in an interview with the  New York Times.

Carney believes leaders have a responsibility to consider even highly unlikely scenarios.

“I think you have a responsibility in these roles to look at extreme tail risk,” Carney said. “That’s just risk management. That’s not a base case, but it would be irresponsible not to.”

Carney did not give specifics about what preparations were made.

Tensions between the two countries have increased in recent months as there was a breakdown of trade negotiations and the U.S. and Canada imposing tariffs on each other’s goods.

Trump has also suggested acquiring Canada, proposals that the Canadian government has rejected.

Earlier this month, Carney said this country had become too dependent on its economic relationship with the U.S.

“The past 40 years has been a period of deeper economic integration with the United States,” Carney said in a video posted to YouTube. “Truth is, it was easy business, but it meant we relied too much on one economic partner. It’s clear that time is over.”

Carney said Canada is now focused on “development and diversification” rather than returning to the previous economic relationship with the U.S.