Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, began his term in office on Friday with a firm rejection of US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex its northern neighbour.
Shortly after being inaugurated as Canada’s 24th prime minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau, who had been in power since 2015, Carney declared that combating Trump’s tariffs would be his top priority.
“Canada will never, ever, in any way, shape, or form, be part of the United States,” Carney said while expressing hope that his government could one day “work together” with Washington to advance each country’s interests.
Ottawa has been concerned by deteriorating cross-border relations since Trump took office in January, initiating a trade war and demanding that Canada give up its independence to become the 51st US state.
In reaction, Ottawa has responded against Trump’s tariffs, while Canadian public opinion has been enraged by the US president’s demand that the border between the two countries be removed.
Carney has called the Trump administration the most significant threat Canada has faced in a generation.
He became prime minister after gaining a landslide victory over Trudeau in a Liberal Party leadership election.
The former central banker, who turns 60 on Sunday, is a political novice who has never held elected public office.
Carney’s abilities may be tested as Canada prepares for a general election in the coming weeks.
He announced plans to travel to Paris and London next week to strengthen Canada’s alliances with the US, despite strained relations with the US.
