Former central banker Mark Carney is set to become Canada’s next prime minister after succeeding Justin Trudeau as leader of the governing Liberal Party.
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Canada's next prime minister declared that his country would "never, ever become part of the US" after being elected leader of the governing Liberal party.
Mark Carney was appointed Liberal leader after Justin Trudeau resigned, following plummeting popularity levels and criticism from his own ministers.
Carney — who is set to be sworn in the coming days — won the leadership vote by a landslide.
He used his first speech to take a defiant stance against threats from US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the "51st state".
"Canada will never, ever be part of America," Carney declared.
The former Bank of England governor also vowed Canada would win a trade war with the US after Trump threatened multiple tariffs against the neighbouring country.
Last week, Trump signed orders exempting many goods from his 25% tariffs. However, the White House said 62% of Canada's imports would still face levies.
Canada has responded with retaliatory tariffs that Carney pledged would remain in place "until the Americans show us some respect."
“We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves,” Carney said. “They [the US] should make no mistake, in trade, as in hockey, Canada will win.”
Carney’s previous roles saw him navigate financial crises as head of the Bank of Canada. In 2013, he was appointed governor of the Bank of England, under then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, becoming the first non-citizen to run the English central bank since its founding in 1694.
A former Goldman Sachs executive, Carney worked for 13 years in London, Tokyo, New York and Toronto, before being appointed deputy governor of the Bank of Canada in 2003.
In 2020, he served as the United Nations’ special envoy for climate action and finance, under UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Canada's Liberal Party has seen its approval ratings improve amidst a trade war with the US ahead of the country's general election, which could be called in the coming weeks.
Canada’s opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose substantially and immigration surged.
Carney was quick to point out the differences between the US and Canada during his speech, declaring the US is “a melting pot. Canada is mosaic," he said. “America is not Canada. And Canada will never, ever will be a part of America in any way, shape or form."
After decades of bilateral stability, the vote on Canada’s next leader is now expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with the threat posed by Trump.
“These are dark days, dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust,” Carney said. “We are 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.”
However, Carney may not keep the job for long, as he is expected to trigger a snap election shortly. Either he will call one, or the opposition parties in Parliament could force one with a no-confidence vote later this month. The Liberal Party are mandated to hold a general election on or before 20 October.
Trudeau urged Liberal supporters to get involved and support the new leader. “This is a nation-defining moment. Democracy is not a given. Freedoms is not a given. Even Canada is not a given.”