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."
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"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.
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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."
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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."
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Donald Trump warns he will 'shut down' one major business in Canada if they don't make extreme change to tariffs
The US-Canada trade conflict continues to escalate as Trump announces his forthcoming actions.
Donald Trump's fresh tariffs come in response to price increases that Ontario's provincial government imposed on electricity exported to the US. Trump had earlier cautioned Canada that the US would take retaliatory measures. On his Truth Social platform, Trump outlined his strategy for countering Canada.
Donald Trump's Imperialist Threat to Take Over Canada Is a ... (Source: www.rollingstone.com)
Trump stated: "Due to Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on 'Electricity' flowing into the United States, I have directed my Secretary of Commerce to add an EXTRA 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM ENTERING THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAXING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD."
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Trump also insisted Canada implement certain changes or face continued pressure. He added: "This will take effect TOMORROW MORNING, March 12th. Additionally, Canada must promptly remove their Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250% to 390% on various U.S. dairy products, which has long been deemed excessive."
"I will soon declare a National Emergency on Electricity within the affected region. This will enable the U.S to swiftly implement necessary actions to address this harmful threat from Canada."
Trump emphasized that these initial steps are just the beginning and cautioned that additional tariff hikes could follow in April. He also expressed his readiness to 'completely end the automobile manufacturing industry in Canada'.
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Trump doubles some Canada tariffs as trade war intensifies (Source: thedailyrecord.com)
His message continued: "If other unfair, long-standing Tariffs are not similarly eliminated by Canada, I will greatly increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars entering the U.S. which will, effectively, completely end the automobile manufacturing industry in Canada."
"These vehicles can readily be produced in the USA! Furthermore, Canada contributes very little to National Security, depending on the United States for military defense."
He again suggested Canada should become America's 51st state to prevent further trade disputes, a proposal that has been met with resistance in Canada.
Trump concluded his message by saying: "The only logical solution is for Canada to become our valued Fifty First State. This would eliminate all Tariffs, and everything else, completely."
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"Canadians' taxes will be significantly reduced, they will enjoy greater security, militarily and otherwise, than ever before, there would no longer be a Northern Border issue, and the greatest and most powerful nation in the World will be larger, better and stronger than ever."
American couple pay for everyone's meal at Canadian restaurant because they 'hate' what Trump is doing to them
Earlier this month, Donald Trump authorized a directive implementing 'devastating' taxes to "make China, Mexico and Canada keep their promises to stop the surge of lethal substances entering the US" by establishing 25% taxes on imports from Canada and Mexico, and 10% on China. It seems one American duo chose to treat every diner at a Canadian establishment as a small apology.
The White House explained in a statement that these taxes represent Trump "taking decisive steps to ensure Mexico, Canada, and China honor their commitments to halt unauthorized immigration and block deadly fentanyl and other substances from entering our nation."
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Donald Trump Accuses Canada of 'Cheating' Amid Tariff War ... (Source: www.newsweek.com)
"Canada shows increasing fentanyl production, and authorities intercepted enough fentanyl at the northern border last fiscal year to kill 9.8 million Americans," the directive claimed. "Also, illegal crossings from Canada reached record levels every year for the past four fiscal years."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cautioned that these taxes would "create genuine impacts" for "Americans" and the White House's moves would ultimately cause a "division" rather than "uniting us."
Yet proving this tension might not separate citizens of both nations were an American couple and guests at Toast restaurant on Erie street in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
A pair named Sarah and Bill from Ann Arbor visited the eatery, and diners have since described how they paid everyone's food bills. Aileen Ganley-Mutter was eating with her godchildren when this happened.
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"Everyone was quite surprised because this is unusual, as about 50 to 60 people were there," she told CBC. Though customers tried to convince the duo to let them contribute to the tip, they reportedly declined saying it was "the minimum" they "could do."
"They mentioned they would continue supporting and loving Canada, and they felt sorry for the tension it was creating, so it was extremely generous," Ganley-Mutter added.
Love 'Trumps' politics: American couple buys meals for ... (Source: m.economictimes.com)
Fellow diner Irene Chyz noted how "surprised" everyone was and "simply wonderful to witness it."
Restaurant co-owner May Hermiz reflected she felt "amazed" because "no one has ever covered bills for the entire restaurant" during its nine years of operation. She remembered: "All guests were clapping. They cheered for them and applauded."
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Hermiz added that the woman told diners "she disapproves of what the United States is doing to us and doesn't endorse it."
"And she's very pleased we won the hockey match and it's a small gesture of thanks for Canadians and how deeply she appreciates us and how much she enjoys backing local businesses."
This generous act follows President Trump reinforcing his intention to implement a 25 percent tax against Canada, with the president declaring on Monday (February 24): "This mistreatment has continued for numerous years. The taxes will proceed, yes, and we will recover significant ground."
"The single way for Canada to escape such a tax according to Trump is for the nation to 'transform into [the US'] Valued 51st State'."
