The Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney acknowledged in an interview with The New York Times that he has been preparing for a possible military invasion from the US over the past year. This scenario, while unlikely, could have catastrophic consequences for Canada.
Threat from the US
Carney responded to a question about whether he took seriously the threats from former US President Donald Trump regarding the possibility of making Canada the 51st state of the United States. He noted that at such high levels of government, it is necessary to consider even the least likely scenarios that could lead to serious consequences.
Risk Management
The Prime Minister emphasized that this is a matter of risk management. He believes that it would be irresponsible not to prepare for such a development. Carney stressed that while this is not a baseline scenario, being ready for it is an important part of his responsibilities.
Reducing Dependence on the US
Additionally, Carney stated that Canada aims to reduce its dependence on the US so that mutually beneficial partnerships can be established between the two countries in the future. This reflects Canada's desire for greater autonomy in international affairs and the development of its own policies.