Carney tells NYT Canada weighed extreme risk of US military action

In short: Canada’s prime minister told The New York Times his government has considered a very remote worst-case scenario of U.S. military action, while also arguing for tighter international rules on AI.

What happened

The New York Times published a transcript-style account of an hourlong interview with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ten Times reporters and editors questioned him in New York after the United Nations General Assembly.

The most eye-catching moment came when Carney acknowledged his government had discussed the remote possibility of U.S. military action against Canada. He called it an “extreme tail risk,” meaning a very unlikely event with very serious consequences, like planning for a once-in-a-century flood. Carney said it would be “irresponsible” not to think through that kind of scenario, but stressed it is not what he expects to happen.

Carney also described work to reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States in trade and key technologies. Related reporting says Canada is looking at alternatives to major U.S.-linked systems such as Starlink (a satellite internet network) and the F-35 (a U.S.-made fighter jet).

On artificial intelligence, the Times highlighted Carney’s view that the risk of catastrophe is “above zero.” He said countries need to coordinate on AI regulation, meaning shared rules and oversight, rather than each country making its own approach.

Why it matters

Canada and the U.S. are close allies, so even raising a military scenario shows how seriously Ottawa is treating the chance of relations getting worse under President Trump. For everyday people, the practical effects are more likely to show up through trade, pricing, and government spending choices, including which technologies and defense equipment Canada buys. The AI comments also signal that Canada may push harder for global rules, which could affect how AI tools are built and used.

Source: NYTimes