Harper Urges Canada to Rethink Its U.S. Trade Dependence
So here’s what’s making waves—former Prime Minister Stephen Harper has come out with some pretty strong advice for Canada’s trade future, and it’s definitely turning some heads. Speaking recently at the Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saskatoon, Harper didn’t hold back. He said Canada needs to stop relying so heavily on the United States when it comes to trade and security.
Now, keep in mind, this is coming from someone who describes himself as probably the most pro-American prime minister in Canadian history . That’s a pretty big deal. But despite his long-standing support for close U.S.-Canada ties, Harper said recent developments—particularly with how Washington is handling trade—should serve as a wake-up call.
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Apparently, the current government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, had reached out to Harper a couple of weeks ago for his input on how to deal with the shifting U.S. trade policies. His advice? Look elsewhere. Diversify. Don’t keep all your eggs in one basket—especially when that basket is subject to political instability and economic nationalism.
Harper made it clear that Canada can’t afford to be in a situation again where its economy is so tightly tethered to one partner that it can be easily threatened or pushed around. He even said that, a year ago, he would've advised the government to deepen ties with the U.S. But things have changed. He now believes Canada needs to actively build relationships with other markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, through frameworks like the CPTPP.
On top of that, Harper pointed out that Canada should also stop relying on the U.S. for security. He emphasized the importance of boosting our own defence spending to be able to fully protect Canadian territory—land, sea, and air—without having to depend on American support.
He also didn’t shy away from calling out China for undermining global trade rules through its manipulation of the World Trade Organization. And he shared a striking revelation about his past discussions with U.S. administrations, saying he’s been privately warning for over 15 years that stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons might ultimately require military action.
Harper ended with a blunt message to American lawmakers: Canadians are not just puzzled by recent U.S. behavior—they're frustrated. And that discontent isn’t limited to one political group; it’s being felt across the country, across the political spectrum.
In short, Harper’s message was this: the world is changing, and Canada needs to adapt fast. Relying too much on old assumptions, particularly when it comes to the U.S., could leave the country vulnerable—both economically and strategically.
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