Prime Minister Mark Carney said he has studied the risk of a U.S.-led military action against Canada, according to an interview published Tuesday by The New York Times.
In the interview, Carney said the possibility of a U.S. attack is a threat his government has examined, though he did not provide details of any specific planning or assessments. He said the risk is real, according to the Times.
Carney’s comments come amid heightened tensions between Ottawa and Washington over trade and sovereignty. The prime minister has previously accused the U.S. of seeking to weaken Canada economically, but his public acknowledgment of preparing for a potential military confrontation is a notable shift in tone.
Carney did not specify what measures, if any, Canada has taken in response to the perceived threat, nor did he offer a timeline for when such an attack might be possible.
In the interview, Carney also reiterated his view that the U.S. is not a reliable partner under its current leadership, and he said Canada must take steps to protect its own interests.
“We have to be prepared for the worst,” Carney said, according to the Times.
Sources: Global News Canada