Harper says Carney team sought his trade advice, advises looking outside U.S.

By Canadian Press on July 28, 2025.

OTTAWA — Former prime minister Stephen Harper says he’s urging Ottawa to find new trading partners outside the United States.

Harper says he was approached by the government two weeks ago and advised Ottawa to work out a short-term deal with U.S. President Donald Trump while expanding trade in other markets.

At a conference in Saskatoon today, Harper says Canada should be “independently responsible” for defending itself and should not rely on the U.S. military.

The Canadian Press has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office whether it approached the former Conservative prime minister for advice.

Harper says Canada has been too dependent on the United States and needs to boost military spending to ensure its independence.

Harper calls himself “the most pro-American prime minister in Canadian history” but says Washington is using a failed economic policy of pursuing economic growth through tariffs.

— With files from Jeremy Simes in Saskatoon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2025/

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press