OTTAWA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday spoke with the Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz about deepening the economic ties between the two countries.

According to an information release issued by the prime minister's office, the leaders discussed the importance of reliable partners working together to protect transatlantic security and deepen economic ties, particularly in the current global trade context.

Carney shared his plan to fight the United States' unjustified trade actions against Canada, protect Canadian workers and businesses, and build Canada's economy.

"We agreed to strengthen the diverse trade relationship between Canada and Germany. As we face the crisis caused by President Trump's tariffs, reliable trade partners are more important than ever," said Carney on his social media account.

On the same day Carney said, in a press conference to announce the counter auto tariffs against the U.S., that his country is ready to lead an international coalition of countries that favor free trade.

Carney said that the global economy "is fundamentally different today than it was yesterday."

"Yesterday's actions by the U.S. administration, while not specifically targeting Canada, will rupture the global economy and adversely impact global economic growth," he said.

"Our old relationship of steadily deepening integration with the United States is over. The 80-year period when the United States embraced the mantle of global economic leadership is over," said Carney.

"If the United States no longer wants to lead, Canada will," he said.

Canadians will need to look to other countries and strengthen trade relationships amid its trade war with the U.S., said Carney.

Canada was spared from the 10 percent baseline tariffs, but a 25 percent U.S. tariff on imported autos went into effect at midnight. Enditem

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