Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for a “new partnership” with the United States during a speech in New York on May 28, 2026. Carney argued that Canada must shift from “reliance to resilience” by diversifying trade relationships and deepening ties with the European Union to protect its economy from US political volatility.
Addressing industry leaders and financiers, Carney signaled his intent to engage the US economic elite as a counterweight to political unpredictability. This approach follows the US administration’s current review of the free trade agreement between Canada and the United States.
Carney framed the shift as a move from “reliance to resilience,” stating that Canada must fundamentally reimagine its economy to succeed. He argued that a stronger, more independent Canada “will help make America great again,” suggesting a resilient partner is more beneficial to the US than a dependent one.
Central to this strategy is a “tilt toward Europe.” Carney is seeking deeper ties with the European Union to reduce Canada’s vulnerability to US volatility. Canadian and Polish defense companies are already discussing new cooperation opportunities in Poland.
This strategy follows a broader shift in Canadian foreign policy toward strategic diversification. Prime Minister Carney established this trajectory on January 20, 2026, in a Davos address titled “Principled and Pragmatic: Canada’s Path,” which provided the framework for Canada’s efforts to secure strategic independence and reduce economic vulnerability to single-power dependence.