Canada’s Next Prime Minister Mark Carney Vows To Defend Trade Against Trump

Mark Carney, Canada’s incoming prime minister, has pledged to fiercely protect the nation’s economic interests, declaring he will not back down in a trade standoff with U.S. President Donald Trump.
In his victory speech on Sunday, Carney took a bold stance against U.S. policies, warning that Trump’s administration is attempting to exert control over Canada. The former central banker emphasized that he would fight to uphold “the Canadian way of life.”
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of Liberal Party supporters in Ottawa, Carney stated:
“We didn’t start this fight, but when challenged, Canadians never back down. Just like in hockey, we play to win, and in trade, Canada will come out on top.”
At 59 years old, Carney is preparing to take over from outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the coming days. However, with a federal election required by October—and the possibility of an earlier snap vote—his tenure may be short-lived. Current polls show the opposition Conservative Party with a slight edge over the Liberals.
Carney accused the Trump administration of seeking to dominate Canada’s resources, including its natural wealth, water, and land.
“The United States, under Trump, wants our resources, our industries, and even our sovereignty. These are troubling times, driven by a country we can no longer trust.”
He further condemned Trump’s actions, arguing that they directly harm Canadian workers, businesses, and families.
“We will not stand by while our people are targeted. We must unite to defend our values and our future.”
Carney’s leadership win was decisive. He secured 85.9% of the nearly 152,000 votes cast, easily defeating Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau’s former deputy prime minister, who garnered just 8% of the vote.
Throughout his campaign, Carney positioned himself as the strongest opponent to Trump’s economic policies, arguing that his extensive financial expertise makes him the best leader to confront the challenges ahead.
Trump has frequently floated the idea of annexing Canada and has disrupted trade relations with unpredictable tariffs, causing instability in Canada’s economy. In his farewell address, Trudeau described Trump’s approach as an “existential challenge” for Canada.
Liberal Party loyalists, such as Cory Stevenson, believe Carney is the right leader to take on these issues.
“We picked someone who can take on Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in the next election and go head-to-head with Trump.”
Carney brings a wealth of experience as a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. He played a key role in steering Canada’s economy through the 2008 financial crisis and helped stabilize the UK’s financial markets after the Brexit vote.
According to an Angus Reid poll, Carney is seen as the top choice among Canadians to challenge Trump’s trade policies, with 43% support, compared to 34% for Poilievre.
However, his lack of elected political experience remains a concern. Critics argue that his time as a Goldman Sachs investment banker and his work with the United Nations on climate finance may not translate into strong leadership in a heated election battle.
“He’s untested in political campaigns, and that’s a risk,” said Cameron Anderson, a political scientist at Western University. “But his strong stance against Trump is exactly what Canadians want right now.”
Before Trudeau announced his resignation in January, the Liberals faced a potential election defeat. However, with Carney’s leadership and the growing influence of Trump’s policies, the race has now become far more competitive.
“Four months ago, people thought we were done,” said former MP Frank Baylis. “Now, we’re back in the fight.”
As Canada prepares for its next election, Carney’s ability to translate economic expertise into political strength will be tested. But one thing is clear—he is ready for battle.