CANADA – The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday pledged to reduce dependence on US in military procurement and spending, adding that he’ll strengthen local industry and expand global partnerships.

Speaking at the Liberal Party’s national convention in Montreal, Carney told delegates that “the days of our military sending 70 cents of every dollar to the United States are over,” drawing a standing ovation from the audience, according to CTV.

Carney emphasized economic sovereignty and national unity, while outlining his government’s plans to prioritize Canadian-made materials and labor in future projects. “We are going to build Canada strong with Canadian steel, Canadian aluminum, Canadian lumber, Canadian workers,” he said.

Carney also pointed to growing trade tensions with Washington, including tariffs introduced under US President Donald Trump. Carney said Trump’s tariffs are widely viewed as the main immediate threat, but stressed that the greater, enduring challenge is maintaining unity and a shared sense of the common good.

Highlighting the government’s “Buy Canadian” policy, Carney said the initiative would help strengthen communities nationwide and reduce reliance on external markets. He added that Canada aims to double its non-US exports over the next decade.

The remarks came after the Office of the US Trade Representative criticized Canada’s procurement approach, calling the policy a trade irritant.

Canada’s newly outlined Defense Industrial Strategy seeks to diversify defense partnerships beyond the US, including closer cooperation with the EU and the UK. According to the strategy, nearly half of Canadian defense-related production is exported, with about 69% of those exports currently going to the US and other Five Eyes partners.

The plan also aims to increase the share of defense contracts awarded to domestic firms to 70%, reflecting Ottawa’s push to bolster national capacity in the sector.