Fact Check: Canada relies on the United States for defense and the majority of its trade.

Fact Check: "Canada relies on the United States for defense and the majority of its trade."

What We Know

The claim that Canada relies on the United States for defense and the majority of its trade has some basis in fact. According to the World Factbook, Canada and the U.S. share a long-standing defense relationship, primarily through NATO and bilateral agreements. The Canadian military collaborates closely with the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly in North American defense initiatives.

In terms of trade, the U.S. is indeed Canada's largest trading partner. As of recent reports, approximately 75% of Canadian exports go to the United States, making it a significant component of Canada's economy (Congress.gov). In 2025, the U.S. accounted for a substantial portion of Canada's goods and services trade, further emphasizing this reliance (U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services).

Analysis

While the claim is accurate regarding the reliance on the U.S. for defense and trade, it is essential to contextualize these relationships. The defense partnership is characterized by shared military operations and intelligence, which indicates a strong but complex interdependence. However, Canada has been actively seeking to diversify its defense partnerships and reduce reliance on the U.S. in recent years (Armstrong Economics).

On the trade front, while the U.S. is Canada's largest trading partner, Canada has also been making efforts to expand its trade relationships with other countries. For instance, there was a noted increase in non-U.S. trade by 24.8% in March 2025, indicating a shift towards diversifying trade partners (Armstrong Economics). This suggests that while the U.S. remains a critical partner, Canada is not wholly dependent on it for trade.

The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the World Factbook being a reliable government resource, and the Congressional Research Service providing thorough insights into U.S.-Canada trade relations. However, the article from Armstrong Economics may carry a slight bias, as it focuses on the economic implications of U.S.-Canada relations and may emphasize the need for diversification.

Conclusion

The claim that "Canada relies on the United States for defense and the majority of its trade" is Partially True. While it accurately reflects the current state of affairs regarding defense and trade, it does not fully account for Canada's ongoing efforts to diversify its defense partnerships and trade relationships. Thus, the statement is valid but lacks the nuance of Canada's evolving geopolitical and economic strategies.

Sources

1. Canada - The World Factbook
2. U.S.-Canada Trade Relations | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
3. U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, April 2025 | U.S ...
4. Canada - Wikipedia
5. Portal:Canada - Wikipedia
6. Canada Country Profile - National Geographic Kids
7. Provinces and territories of Canada - Simple English Wikipedia
8. Canada Attempts to Loosens Reliance on US Trade