During a crucial period of strain in Canadian-American relations, the Liberal Party of Canada selected an unelected financial specialist on Sunday to succeed Justin Trudeau as party leader and prime minister, positioning him to confront President Trump. Mark Carney, 59, who guided the Bank of Canada through the 2008 financial crash and led the Bank of England during Brexit transitions, secured victory despite never holding elected office. He triumphed over his colleague and former finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, capturing an impressive 85.9 percent of Liberal Party member votes. The party reported that over 150,000 individuals participated in the election.
Mark Carney to become Canada's new Prime Minister : NPR (Source: www.npr.org)
In his victory speech Sunday evening, Carney addressed Trump's repeated claims about making Canada the 51st state directly: "America is not Canada. And Canada never, ever will be part of America in any way, shape or form," he declared to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters. "We didn't ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves."
"So Americans should make no mistake," Carney continued. "In trade, as in hockey, Canada will win."
Earlier in his remarks, Carney had identified Trump as a threat: "There's someone who's trying to weaken our economy. Yeah, Donald Trump. He's attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses, and we cannot let him succeed. The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country."
Canada’s next Prime Minister Mark Carney vows to win trade war as he immediately hits out at Donald Trump
Mark Carney, the future Canadian Prime Minister, has promised to overcome the current trade dispute with the US and immediately criticized Donald Trump after his appointment as Justin Trudeau's replacement on Sunday (March 9).
Trump pauses tariffs, The rise of Mark Carney (Source: www.cbc.ca)
The previous governor of UK and Canada central banks secured the position to guide Canada's Liberal Party, becoming the first successful candidate to assume the PM role without substantial political experience. Carney will likely take office as prime minister within days and will direct their Liberal Party into the upcoming general election, expected to be announced shortly, according to BBC News. Upon accepting the leadership position in Canada, Carney promptly criticized President Trump.
The US President has authorized a directive to enforce 'devastating' tariffs on Canada to hold the nation 'responsible' for what Trump claims is their broken commitment to 'stop the surge of harmful drugs into the US.' All products imported from these nations now face a 25 percent tariff, with Canadian energy items subject to an additional 10 percent charge. The 47th POTUS stated the only 'answer' for Canada to avoid the tariff would be to join as the 51st State of the US.
In his Sunday address, Carney declared: "America is not Canada. And Canada never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape or form. We didn't ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves. The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country. Think about it. If they succeed, they will destroy our way of life."
Mark Carney to become Canada's next prime minister | Fortune (Source: fortune.com)
The incoming prime minister continued: "I know these are dark days. Dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust. We're getting over the shock, but let us never forget the lessons: we have to look after ourselves and we have to look out for each other. We need to pull together in the tough days ahead."
Departing Prime Minister Trudeau delivered a heartfelt speech Sunday before passing leadership to Carney. He stated, according to New York Post: "These past ten years have been challenging. Crisis after crisis has been thrown at Canadians, but through every crisis, Canadians have shown who they are. We've pulled together, we've stood up for each other and every single time we've emerged even stronger. And now, as Canadians face — from our neighbor — an existential challenge, an economic crisis, Canadians are showing exactly what we are made of."
Canadian Prime Minister announces old relationship with US is 'over' as he reveals response to Trump tariffs
Mark Carney states major trade agreement in his era is now 'finished' as Trump adds new tariffs on Canada.** Canadian Prime Minister Carney affirmed that Canada will stand firm against hostility from the US or Donald Trump in the current trade dispute between both nations. During a press conference in Ottawa on Thursday (March 27), Carney urged significant shifts in the Canadian economy, apparently to reduce US dependency and collaboration.
Canadian Prime Minister announces old relationship with US ... (Source: www.unilad.com)
He indicated the country needs to "completely rethink our economy," as friction persists between Donald Trump's America and Canada. Trump declared on Wednesday (March 26) he would impose a 25% tax on imported vehicles and parts, stating: "This is permanent."
In response, Canada plans to add more tariffs on US goods and claims they will create "maximum impact" on the country.
Carney described the initial Canada-US Automotive Products Agreement signed in 1965 as the "most significant deal in his lifetime," and stated that with these new US tariffs, their former relationship has ended. The Canadian leader also vowed not to let the US try to weaken the country to enhance US interests.
He stated: "The president of the US is trying to completely change his economy, it affects our economy and the global economy too."
"I understand and value his aim to help American workers, but I disagree with him that this is the right approach."
"I refuse any efforts to weaken Canada, to exhaust us, to destroy us so that America can control us, that will never occur."
Mark Carney stated Canada will counter Trump's new tariffs (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Trump, Canada PM strike positive note after call (Source: www.france24.com)
"Our answer to these recent tariffs is to resist, is to defend and to develop."
"We will challenge the US tariffs with retaliatory trade measures of our own, that will create maximum effect in the United States and minimal effect here in Canada."
Previously, Carney stated Canada will not think about removing these tariffs until the US shows proper respect. He also admitted that Canadians might face "difficult times" because of these US actions, a country he suggests they can no longer rely on, but he also mentioned that the nation always stands ready to defend itself.
Earlier this month, as tensions grew between both countries, Carney said: "We're moving past the surprise, but let us always remember the lessons: we must care for ourselves and we must care for each other. We need to unite during the hard times ahead."
Donald Trump sends clear message to Canada as he claims it will become the ‘greatest state’ of the US
Since Trump took office for his second term in January, he has remained focused on one goal - acquiring Canada. The President continues promoting the idea of merging with the northern nation and has playfully mocked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by referring to him as the 'Governor of Canada.'
Tensions over trade between both countries are escalating, with the US imposing 25 percent tariffs on products, including steel and aluminum, which has upset Canada considerably.
Trudeau responded by announcing retaliatory counter-tariffs on US goods, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned he might increase electricity costs or completely cut power to 1.5 million US citizens living in Minnesota, New York, and Michigan.
donald trump canada
Trump has offered Canada a way to avoid these tariff increases - by becoming America's 'cherished 51st state.' Despite the growing friction, the President shows no intention of abandoning his plan and reaffirmed his desire to acquire both Canada and Greenland during a Thursday (March 13) meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office.
Trump further provoked the country by claiming Canada 'only functions as a state' because America is 'spending $200 billion annually to subsidize it.' Yet under US control, Trump insisted it would become 'one of the finest states anywhere.'
He added that the US and Canada would create 'the most incredible country visually' and that the separation between the two nations was formed when someone drew 'an artificial line straight through.'
As an enticement, the President also mentioned Canada could maintain its national anthem if it joined the US. "It's so perfect as a great and cherished state. Keeping 'O Canada', the national anthem. I love it, I think it's great, keep it. But it'll be for the state, one of our greatest states. Maybe our greatest state," Trump stated.
Regarding the trade dispute, he apologized to Canadians but reinforced his position that the US 'doesn't need anything' from the country, saying: "They need us, we really don't need them. And we have to do this, I'm sorry, we have to do this."
If Canada were to become part of the USA, the North American map would be dramatically reshaped - as would the political landscape.
Only Hawaii would remain as the sole non-contiguous state while Canada's substantial population of nearly 42 million would transform it into the most populous state overall.
donald trump signing orders in the white house
Politically, this would make it larger than California and require two senators plus 55 House seats, consequently decreasing the representation of other state delegations to accommodate the new Canadian representatives.
Effectively, Canada would become the key prize in all presidential campaigns and might overshadow the significance of swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Regarding the acquisition of Greenland, Trump remarked: "Well, I think it'll happen. And I'm just thinking I didn't give it much thought before, but I'm sitting with a man that could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security, not just security - international."
Rutte answered: "I don't want to drag NATO into that."
