Canada's prime minister says the relationship with the US is now a “weakness”. “The situation seems unique, but we have faced such threats before”

Canada's close relationship with the United States, once considered an asset, has become a weakness, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a video message to the nation on Sunday. In the same message, he praised the heroism of military leaders who fought against an American invasion more than two centuries ago, Reuters reports.

Holding a small figurine representing General Isaac Brock, a British military leader who died defending what is now Canada during the War of 1812, Carney said the country cannot control the turbulence from America's neighbor and cannot build its future on the hope that it will suddenly stop.

“Today's situation seems unique, but we've faced threats like this before,” said Mark Carney, referring to Isaac Brock and other Canadian historical figures, including Tecumseh, who united indigenous nations in the Great Lakes region to resist American expansion in 1812.

Carney, who won a parliamentary majority for his Liberal government last week, said the election victory would help him more effectively manage the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized Canada last week, describing it as a difficult trading partner.

Canada, which sends nearly 70% of its exports to the United States, is due to revise the trilateral free trade agreement between the US, Mexico and Canada this year. US officials have suggested they want major changes to that pact.

In addition to imposing tariffs on Canadian exports such as steel, aluminum and automobiles, Donald Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of ​​annexing Canada and making it the 51st US state.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's office did not immediately respond to questions about when the video message was released and why it referenced historical figures who resisted American expansionism.

Carney said he plans to send regular messages to Canadians in the coming weeks and months to inform them of the steps the government is taking to grow the economy and defend the country's sovereignty.

“It's our country, it's our future, we're taking back control,” he said.