U.S. trade actions have raised questions about validity of USMCA, Carney says [Video]

The Trump administration’s threatened and imposed tariffs have raised doubts about the soundness of the trade deal signed in 2018 by Canada, the United States and Mexico and make necessary a “broader conversation” with Washington over its business and security relationship with Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney says.

The Prime Minister was asked Tuesday by media during a visit to Iqaluit whether he shared the opinion of predecessor Justin Trudeau that U.S. President Donald Trump’s conduct toward Canada is economic warfare designed to bring about a “total collapse of the Canadian economy because that’ll make it easier to annex us.”

Mr. Carney declined to say whether he agreed with Mr. Trudeau and spoke in a conciliatory manner about how he understood Mr. Trump’s rationale for his actions.

“He wants to end the fentanyl crisis in the United States. I respect that,” Mr. Carney said. “He wants good, high-paying jobs in America. He wants more investment in America. …