Canada's next PM Mark Carney vows to win trade war with Trump

Mark Carney has officially become the new Prime Minister of Canada, taking over from Justin Trudeau. In his victory speech, Carney made a strong promise to win the ongoing trade war with the United States and its President, Donald Trump. Carney, who previously served as the governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, won the leadership contest of the Liberal Party by a significant margin, defeating three other candidates. He received an impressive 85. 9% of the votes, which was a clear indication of his popularity among party members. The announcement of the results was met with loud cheers from a crowd of around 1,600 supporters in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. The party reported that over 150,000 people participated in the voting process. Carney is expected to be sworn in soon and will lead the Liberals into the next general election, which could be called in the coming weeks. During his speech, Carney focused heavily on the tariffs imposed by Trump, which he described as unjustified. These tariffs are taxes that the US has placed on Canadian goods, and Carney made it clear that he would not allow Trump to succeed in this trade battle. He pointed out that the US had initially imposed a 25% tax on Canadian products but later exempted some goods that were compliant with an existing trade agreement. In response, Canada implemented its own retaliatory tariffs. Carney emphasized that Trump's actions were harmful to Canadian workers, families, and businesses, stating, 'We can't let him succeed. ' He also mentioned that his government would maintain tariffs on US imports until they receive the respect they deserve. Carney acknowledged the significant reliance of Canada's economy on trade with the US and warned that if the tariffs were fully enforced, it could lead to a recession. He said, 'I know these are dark days,' referring to the challenges Canada is currently facing due to the trade tensions. He urged Canadians to unite and support one another during these tough times. Carney also addressed the issue of border security, which has been a key demand from Trump, who has accused Canada of not controlling the flow of migrants and drugs into the US. Carney took the opportunity to criticize his main opponent, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, stating that Poilievre's plans would leave Canada divided and vulnerable. He remarked, 'A person who worships at the altar of Donald Trump will kneel before him, not stand up to him. ' Just before Carney took the stage, Trudeau delivered an emotional farewell speech, reflecting on his 12 years as the leader of the Liberal Party. He warned that Canada is facing an 'existential challenge' from the US under Trump's leadership. The Conservative Party has had to adjust its strategy since Trudeau's resignation, and they are now attacking Carney, claiming that he does not represent real change but is merely a replacement for Trudeau. They have also accused Carney of dishonesty regarding his involvement in moving the headquarters of Brookfield Asset Management from Toronto to New York. Carney clarified that the decision was made after he left the board, but a letter surfaced indicating that he had recommended the move before his departure. David McGuinty, a federal minister who endorsed Carney, expressed confidence in his abilities, stating that he embodies the determination and competence needed to tackle significant issues. McGuinty expressed excitement for the future and emphasized that it is time for an election. The Liberals will face off against Poilievre's Conservatives, who hold 120 seats in the House of Commons, as well as the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democrats in the upcoming election. Carney's key policies include a centrist agenda, which marks a shift from Trudeau's more left-leaning approach. He has promised to advance major energy projects, such as pipelines, which have faced political obstacles in recent years. Additionally, Carney aims to invest in housing and clean energy initiatives while working to liberalize trade within Canada, where barriers still exist between provinces. During the leadership race, Carney also committed to capping the size of the federal government, which expanded significantly under Trudeau.