Demand for Respect: Newly Elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Challenges Trump and the US

The new Prime Minister of Canada wasted no time in sending a stern message to President Trump shortly after his election. This comes at a time when relations between the United States and Canada have been tense.

Former central banker Mark Carney was today chosen to take over Trudeau as the Liberal party leader and Prime Minister of Canada.

In his inaugural speech, the 59-year-old leader launched a scathing criticism of Trump, indicating his intention to carry on the legacy of public confrontations with the US President, following in the footsteps of Justin Trudeau.

He accused Trump of ‘trying to weaken our economy’ in a speech to a raucuous room full of Liberal voters. 

‘Donald Trump, as we know, as put unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell, on how we make a living,’ he said.

‘He’s attacking Canadian workers, families and businesses. We cannot let him succeed. And we won’t.’

Opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged.

Trump has repeatedly touted his ambition to annex Canada, referring to Trudeau as ‘Governor Trudeau’ and the nation as America’s ’51st state.’

Justin Trudeau ‘s replacement as Canada’s new Prime Minister sent a warning to President Trump just minutes after he was elected 

Trump has repeatedly touted his ambition to annex Canada, referring to Trudeau as ‘Governor Trudeau’ and the nation as America’s ’51st state.’

Former central banker Mark Carney was today chosen to take over Trudeau as the Liberal party leader and Prime Minister of Canada

He has also embarked on a trade war with Canada, imposing 25 percent tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada on Tuesday.

Trump’s trade war and his talk of making Canada the 51st state infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at NHL and NBA games.

Some are canceling trips south of the border, and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can. 

Cafes across the nation have stopped selling ‘Americanos’ in favor of a new name – ‘Canadianos.’

Carney said the actions of Canadians in standing up to Trump have made him proud. 

‘I’m proud of the voices of Canadians who are making their voices heard and their wallets felt,’ he said as the crowd cheered.

‘Our provinces are stepping up to the fight. When we are united, we are Canada strong.

‘The Canadian government has rightly retaliated. My government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect.’

During a press conference, Justin Trudeau was visibly emotional as he reacted to being targeted by Donald Trump in a week-long tariff dispute, as his tenure as prime minister nears its end.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, embraces his daughter Ella-Grace after she introduced him at the Liberal leadership announcement 

Carney had earlier weighed in on the standoff between Trump and Trudeau, but there were doubts about whether he would attempt to strike a friendlier relationship with the leader of Canada’s closest neighbor. 

He had previously said: ‘We have made this the greatest country in the world and now our neighbors want to take us. No way.’

After decades of bilateral stability, the vote on Canada’s next leader now is expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with the United States. 

Election laws mandate a general election must be held before the fall, but one is expected this spring. 

And Carney is no stranger to crises. He was the head of the Bank of Canada and in 2013 he became the first noncitizen to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694. 

His appointment won bipartisan praise in the UK after Canada recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries.

Trudeau announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until his successor is sworn in in the coming days. 

Before appointing his successor, Trudeau announced Canada would begin implementing 25 percent tariffs on $155 billion of American goods, starting with $30 billion worth of products immediately.

Former central banker Mark Carney (pictured with his wife Diana) was today chosen to take over Trudeau as the Liberal party leader and Prime Minister of Canada

‘This is a time to hit back hard and to demonstrate that a fight with Canada will have no winners,’ he said.

The United States imported $412 billion worth of goods from Canada in 2024, according to the US Census Bureau. 

Trump has argued that the trade deficit with Canada demonstrates that the United States deserves to level more tariffs on their imported goods. 

The president warned Trudeau Tuesday that the United States was willing to level additional tariffs on their country’s economy. 

‘Please explain to Governor Trudeau, of Canada, that when he puts on a Retaliatory Tariff on the U.S., our Reciprocal Tariff will immediately increase by a like amount!’ Trump warned on social media.

‘We subsidize them $200 billion a year. Without us, Canada can’t make it,’ Trump said during a cabinet meeting last week. ‘You know, Canada relies on us 95 percent. We rely on them 4 percent. Big difference.’

Carney (pictured hugging his daughter Cleo), 59, replaces Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until his successor is sworn in in the coming days

Before appointing his successor, Trudeau announced Canada would begin implementing 25 percent tariffs on $155 billion of American goods, starting with $30 billion worth of products immediately

Trump suggested that Canada should join the United States if they want to escape the tariffs. 

‘I say Canada should be our 51st state. There’s no tariffs, no nothing,’ he said last week.

Trump also argues that since the United States pays largely for Canada’s military security, the country should also pay more in tariffs.  

‘We protect Canada. But it’s not fair. It’s not fair that they’re not paying their way. And if they had to pay their way, they couldn’t exist,’ he said.