In his inaugural speech, newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed concerns about “dark days” ahead due to US President Donald Trump’s policies, which he accused of harming Canadian workers and businesses through unjustified tariffs. Carney vowed to build stronger ties with dependable trading partners and to enforce retaliatory tariffs on the US until respect is shown. He emphasized that Canada will never become part of the US and is prepared to defend its interests. Carney, who previously led the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, won 85.9% of the votes, defeating Chrystia Freeland. However, upcoming elections could threaten his position.
New Delhi:
In his inaugural address following a resounding victory as Justin Trudeau’s successor, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney cautioned that the nation faces “dark, dark days” due to the actions of US President Donald Trump. Taking a bold stance, he accused Trump of “attacking Canadian workers, families, and businesses.”
Carney stated that the US President aims to undermine the Canadian economy through “unjustified tariffs,” asserting that such efforts will not prevail. “We will form new relationships with dependable trading partners and safeguard our borders. We will enact retaliatory tariffs that will have the greatest effect on the US, which will stay in place until the Americans extend us the respect we deserve,” he proclaimed, eliciting a round of enthusiastic applause.
The 59-year-old leader accused the US of coveting Canada’s resources, water, and land, insisting that Ottawa will never be integrated into America “in any way, shape, or form.” “Canada didn’t seek a conflict, but if it comes to that, we will prevail,” Carney asserted.
Having previously served as the heads of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, Carney decisively defeated his leading opponent, Trudeau’s former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, who has held various senior cabinet roles in the Liberal government since it first came to power in 2015. Carney secured 85.9 percent of the nearly 152,000 votes cast, while Freeland received only eight percent.
Nonetheless, his tenure in the top position may be short-lived. Canada is required to hold elections by October, and a snap election could occur within weeks. Current polls indicate that the opposition Conservatives are slight frontrunners.
Trump has recurrently mused about the prospect of annexing Canada and has created turmoil in bilateral trade—the backbone of the Canadian economy—through erratic tariff measures that have fluctuated since he assumed office.