Canada has chosen a new prime minister-elect as Justin Trudeau’s tenure comes to an end amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.
On Sunday night, the Liberal Party of Canada announced that Mark Carney had won the leadership race, defeating three other candidates in a nationwide vote.
Carney Takes Aim at U.S. Tariffs and Trump’s Remarks
In his victory speech, Carney addressed the ongoing trade dispute with the U.S., condemning President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and defending Canada’s retaliatory measures.
“We didn’t start this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else throws the first punch. Whether in trade or hockey, Canada will win,” he declared.
He also pushed back against Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state, stating firmly:
“America is not Canada, and Canada will never, in any way, shape, or form, be part of America.”
A New Era for Canada’s Liberal Party
Carney, an economist with no prior elected experience, previously served as Governor of the Bank of Canada and Governor of the Bank of England. He played a crucial role in stabilizing Canada’s economy during the 2008 financial crisis, earning him a strong reputation in economic circles.
His leadership rivals included:
- Chrystia Freeland, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister
- Frank Baylis, businessman and former Member of Parliament
- Karina Gould, current Member of Parliament and former Cabinet Minister
Despite his outsider status in politics, Carney had emerged as the clear front-runner in the race.
Trudeau’s Departure and Next Steps
Trudeau, who first took office in 2015, announced on January 6 that he would resign as Prime Minister once a new Liberal leader was chosen. He cited the need for a political “reset” to lower tensions in Parliament and shift focus back to working for Canadians.
He is expected to step down by March 24, after which Carney will be sworn in by the Governor General of Canada, King Charles III’s representative in the country.
Carney is widely expected to call for an election as soon as late April, giving Canadians a chance to weigh in on the country’s direction under new leadership.
Canada’s Response to the Trade War
Tensions between Canada and the United States have escalated due to Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian products. In response, Canada imposed its own 25% tariffs on U.S. goods, including:
- Orange juice
- Peanut butter
- Coffee
- Appliances
- Motorcycles
- Cosmetics
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc indicated that a second wave of retaliatory tariffs would be suspended after Trump announced a temporary pause on some tariffs for Canada and Mexico.
As Carney prepares to take office, his leadership will be tested by economic challenges, strained U.S.-Canada relations, and the possibility of an upcoming federal election.