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Prime Minister Mark Carney has made bold claims over the trade war between Canada and the US following his election win
As Canada learned its fate over who will govern the country through this period of uncertainty as President Donald Trump continues to ruffle feathers, new prime minister Mark Carney insists he is prepared for the fight.
In the early hours of April 29, the 60-year-old incumbent received the news that he would remain in office, securing a historic victory for the Liberal Party. This triumph came as a surprise, considering Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party had been riding high with what seemed like an insurmountable lead in the polls as election day drew near.
Carney stepped into the role last month, taking over from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who chose to step down after a decade in power. Carney’s campaign centered around his credentials as the economist ready to take on President Trump, with a standout resume that includes seven years as Governor of the Bank of Canada, where he skillfully steered the country through the 2008 financial crisis.
With two new leaders now at the helm in North America, it seems that Canada and the US are gearing up for a monumental political showdown.
Donald Trump, the 78-year-old Republican, has been vocal in his calls for Canada to hold a referendum on whether to surrender its independence and join the United States. This proposal fits into what some have described as the Trump administration’s expansionist agenda, which envisions annexing Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even taking control of the Gaza Strip.
For months, Trump has been advocating for Canada to become the “51st State” of the US. Just yesterday, he posted a message on Truth Social, aiming to sway Canadian voters ahead of the polls.
“Good luck to the great people of Canada,” he wrote, adding, “Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power—free of charge—to the highest level in the world, and have your car, steel, aluminum, lumber, energy, and all other industries QUADRUPLE in size, with ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st state of the United States of America.”
Donald Trump has continued to push his vision of a unified North America, describing it as an opportunity to erase historical borders. “No more artificially drawn lines from many years ago. Look how beautiful this landmass would be,” he proclaimed, emphasizing the benefits of unrestricted access and no border between the US and Canada. “ALL POSITIVES WITH NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE!” Trump added, underscoring his belief that Canada should join the US as the “51st State.”
In another one of his statements, Trump argued that America can no longer bear the financial burden of subsidizing Canada with “hundreds of billions of dollars” each year. “It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!” he declared, framing the move as an economic necessity.
Meanwhile, Trump’s policies have contributed to escalating trade tensions globally, including the implementation of a 10 percent tariff on all US imports. Although Canada was initially exempt from this, it had already been targeted with hefty tariffs under Trump’s administration. These included a blanket 25 percent tariff on various goods, a 10 percent levy on energy and potash, and a 25 percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum.
Mark Carney’s Response to Trump
Mark Carney, the newly appointed Prime Minister, had his first conversation with Trump last month. During the call, Trump reiterated his push for Canada to become part of the United States. Carney, however, chose not to immediately share the details of the exchange. He later described the call as “cordial” and “positive,” emphasizing that Trump “respected Canada’s sovereignty in both his private and public comments.” When the issue of Canada becoming part of the US was raised, Carney reportedly responded with, “Let’s agree to disagree on that one,” according to two sources speaking with Radio-Canada.
However, a spokesperson for Carney denied this account. “No, the prime minister didn’t say this to President Trump,” the spokesperson clarified. “He was always clear on the fact that the possibility of Canada becoming part of the US is not on the table and never will be.”
Mark Carney faced questions on Thursday, April 24, regarding his decision not to mention during his previous remarks that President Trump had once again voiced his intention for Canada to become part of the United States. Carney’s response was pointed: “The president brings this up all the time. He brought it up yesterday. He brought it up before.”
Later that day, Carney took a firmer stance, addressing Trump’s latest attacks on Canada. “Just yesterday, President Trump repeated his attacks on Canada. He said he doesn’t want Canada, I’m quoting, to play any part in the American auto industry. So I’ll be equally clear. This is Canada. We decide what happens here.”
Carney continued, emphasizing that Trump’s actions further proved what many had feared: “Yesterday was more proof, as if any were needed, that the old relationship with the United States is over, and proof that we need to chart a new path.”
Mark Carney’s Response to Trump’s Threats
This morning in Ottawa, Carney made his resolve clear in front of supporters: “As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country – never,” he declared passionately. “But these are not idle threats, President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us – that will never, that will never ever happen.”
Carney continued to reflect on the changing geopolitical landscape, acknowledging the shift in dynamics: “We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves and, above all, we have to take care of each other.”
Addressing the future, Carney stated, “When I sit down with President Trump, it will be to discuss the future economic and security relationship between two sovereign nations, and it will be with our full knowledge that we have many, many other options than the United States to build prosperity for all Canadians.”
Carney’s Warning to Trump and His Plan Forward
Carney did not hold back in issuing a direct warning to President Trump: “We are exploring everything this country has to offer, we are supporting our friends and neighbors in the crosshairs of President Trump, through a crisis that we did not create.”
He concluded with a rallying cry for Canada’s future: “United we will win this trade war and build the strongest economy in the G7. An economy that works for everyone.”
In reaffirming Canada’s resilience, Carney underscored the collective strength of the G7 nations—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US—all of which are among the world’s most advanced economies.
