CUSMA Is Becoming an Economic-Security Pact. Canada Should Treat It Like One.
Commentary Canada’s current negotiations with the United States are about more than tariffs. They are increasingly about the economic and security architecture of North America—and whether Canada is prepared to treat economic security as part of national security. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s “elbows up” message emerged from legitimate concerns: the Trump administration has shown a willingness to use tariffs, market access, and American economic weight aggressively, and Canada was right to defend its interests. But the current negotiations also reveal an important reality. Canada is not seeking distance from the U.S. economy; it is working to preserve privileged access to it.
Current negotiations between Canada and the United States extend beyond tariffs, focusing on the economic and security framework of North America. Canada’s objective is to maintain preferential access to the U.S. economy, not to distance itself from it. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s assertive stance was a response to the U.S. administration’s aggressive use of economic tools.
- Canada-U.S. negotiations are about more than tariffs; they concern North America’s economic and security architecture.
- Canada needs to consider economic security as part of national security.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney’s “elbows up” approach was a reaction to the Trump administration’s aggressive use of tariffs and economic leverage.
- Canada is seeking to preserve, not distance itself from, privileged access to the U.S. economy.
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