Mark Carney has won the leadership of Canada’s Liberal Party in a landslide, declaring that the country will never become “America’s 51st state” amid rising tensions with the United States over trade and sovereignty.

Carney, 59, who previously served as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, secured 86 per cent of the vote, defeating former finance minister Chrystia Freeland. His victory marks a historic shift in Canadian politics, as he becomes the first political outsider to lead the party.

Speaking to a crowd of party supporters in Ottawa following his win, Carney issued a strong response to US President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting Canada should join the United States to avoid tariffs and receive military protection.

“Canada is not America. We will never, in any way, shape, or form, be part of the United States,” he asserted. “The Americans want our resources, our water, our land—but they will not take our country.”

His remarks come amid escalating trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington, with the US recently imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods before partially rolling them back under pressure. In response, Canada introduced retaliatory tariffs, a move Carney pledged to uphold until the US commits to “free and fair trade.”

Tensions with Trump

The election of Carney as leader follows months of political turmoil within the Liberal Party. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation in January after nearly a decade in office, citing plummeting approval ratings amid a housing crisis and soaring living costs.

Since Trudeau’s departure, the party has witnessed a resurgence, fuelled in part by growing nationalist sentiment in response to Trump’s trade threats. At the beginning of the year, the Liberals trailed the opposition Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, by more than 20 percentage points. However, recent polls indicate the race has tightened significantly.

Carney, who has never held elected office, framed his economic background as an asset, pointing to his experience managing two G7 central banks as evidence of his ability to navigate a potential second Trump presidency.

“Trump’s unjustified tariffs are a direct attack on Canadian workers, families, and businesses,” he told supporters. “We cannot and will not let him succeed.”

Trump’s rhetoric regarding Canada has become increasingly pointed in recent months. In December, he referred to Trudeau as the “Governor of the Great State of Canada,” prompting backlash from Canadian officials. After assuming office in February, Trump suggested that Canada should become the 51st US state to avoid trade penalties. Reports indicate that Ottawa took the comments seriously, viewing them as part of a broader push to exert economic pressure on the country.

Future political landscape

Carney will now lead a minority government and could face a snap general election in the coming weeks. While he may choose to call an early vote, opposition parties could also force one through a no-confidence motion.

The Conservatives, who have sought to rebrand since Trudeau’s resignation, have been quick to attack Carney, arguing that he represents continuity rather than change. “The Liberals think they can trick Canadians by swapping one leader for another,” Poilievre said in a statement.

The opposition has also accused Carney of misleading the public regarding his role in the relocation of Brookfield Asset Management’s head office from Toronto to New York. While Carney maintains the decision was made after he left the board, a leaked letter suggests he had recommended the move.

Despite these challenges, Carney’s victory signals a shift in Canada’s political landscape, as the country braces for renewed tensions with its largest trading partner.

As he prepares to assume office, Carney reiterated his commitment to defending Canada’s economic interests. “We are Canada strong,” he said. “And we will stand together to protect our sovereignty, our economy, and our future.”