(Anadolu)
OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government had examined the possibility of US military action against Canada as an “extreme tail risk,” stressing that governments must prepare even for highly unlikely but potentially serious scenarios.
In an interview reported by The New York Times, Carney was asked whether he took seriously US President Donald Trump’s previous remarks about Canada becoming the 51st US state.
“I think you have a responsibility in these roles to look at extreme tail risk,” Carney said, while declining to disclose details of Canada’s preparations. He stressed that such a scenario was not the government’s expected outcome.
Carney said he and Trump continued to communicate frequently despite worsening trade relations, including several conversations since bilateral negotiations broke down in August.
Canada suspended the talks on Aug. 21 after Ottawa said Washington introduced last-minute conditions it considered unfair and economically harmful.
Carney also said Canada was working to reduce its dependence on US technology and suppliers, including efforts to diversify away from Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network and a review of its planned purchase of 88 US-made F-35 fighter jets.
The prime minister said Ottawa also intends to deepen economic ties with other countries, including China, while ruling out closer defense cooperation with Beijing.
Despite the trade dispute, Carney said a mutually beneficial agreement with Washington remained possible, citing Canadian potash exports as one potential area for cooperation.
He added that Canada would continue pursuing greater economic and strategic diversification regardless of who leads the United States in the future.
