# Carney Warns U.S. Is Trying to 'Break' Canada as Trump Revives '51st State' Threat > Carney warns U.S. efforts to break Canada amid Trump's '51st state' annexation threat. - Title: Carney Warns U.S. Is Trying to 'Break' Canada as Trump… - Summary: Carney warns U.S. efforts to break Canada amid Trump's '51st state' annexation threat. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warns U.S. is trying to break… - Keywords: mark carney, canada, trump, separatist referendum, alberta, trade war, 51st state, united states, news, world, Carney, Warns - Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/16/trump-canada-trump-annexation-threat-carney-canada-separatist-referendum-warning - Author: Callum Sutherland - Published: 2026-10-16T19:16:19+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: mark carney, canada, trump, separatist referendum, alberta, trade war, 51st state, united states, news, world ## Carney warns U.S. threatens Canada Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned the United States is trying to sow discord as he urged Albertans not to vote for a separation referendum. > the stakes are high. this referendum, it comes at the worst possible time. the world has become more dangerous and divided ## Trump revives '51st state' threat U.S. President Donald Trump told a rally in Arizona he will 'end up being the 51st state, because it's the only way it works' and accused Canada of treating the U.S. 'very badly'. > it's a whole different ballgame now [that] trump is in town ## Trade war intensifies The U.S. and Canada remain in a contentious trade standoff after negotiations collapsed in August, with Canada’s retaliatory tariffs taking effect last month. > the trade tussle comes after months of trump repeatedly threatening canada’s sovereignty ## Carney’s 'Canada Strong' strategy Carney promoted his 'Canada Strong' strategy to unite Canadians by choosing Canadian products over those made in the U.S. to counter economic pressure. > i think you have a responsibility in these roles to look at extreme tail risk ## Alberta referendum vote As of Oct. 11, 75% of Albertans would vote to remain part of Canada according to polling by 338Canada, but separatist movements threaten unity. > the world has become more dangerous and divided ## Quebec separatist movement The Parti Québécois won Quebec's provincial election earlier this month, with incoming Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon vowing not to hold a referendum on independence while Trump is in office. > it's a whole different ballgame now [that] trump is in town ## Trump’s economic threats Experts say Trump has weaponized market access to the U.S., with Canada’s largest trading partner imposing economic pressure through tariffs and threats. > he has weaponized market access to the u.s. ## Trade data shows decline Trade between the U.S. and Canada dropped 4.6% from 2024 to 2025, with $872.3 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border annually. > trade between the two was down 4.6% from 2024 to 2025 ## Carney’s approval rises Carney’s approval rating increased to 62% on Oct. 15, up from 56% in mid-July, as his resistance to U.S. economic pressure gained support. > on oct. 15, it stood at 62% compared to 56% in mid-july ## Canada strengthens EU ties European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the EU’s first 'associate member' to diversify trade and security away from the U.S. > canada and the european union can anchor our ground to hold our values while forming a protective canopy under which our citizens can thrive ## China trade deal Carney announced a new strategic partnership with China focused on energy, agri-food, and trade, cutting tariffs on Chinese electric cars in exchange for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products. > carney agreed to cut his country’s 100% tariff on chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on canadian farm products ## Public support for unity 49% of Canadians support joining the EU, and 54% support stronger trade ties with China, reflecting growing unity against U.S. economic pressures. > in almost every province, the proportion of residents who are very attached to canada is greater than the proportion who are very attached to their province ## Key takeaway Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warns U.S. is trying to break Canada as Trump threatens to annex it, urging Albertans to reject a separatist referendum.