New PM Carney Declares: Canada Will Never Be Part of U.S.

Mark Carney Takes Office as Canada’s New Prime Minister, Rejects Trump’s Annexation Threats

Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, began his tenure on Friday by firmly rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada.

Shortly after being sworn in as the country’s 24th prime minister, Carney—who succeeds Justin Trudeau after nearly a decade in office—vowed to make countering Trump’s tariffs a top priority.

“Canada will never, under any circumstances, become part of the United States,” Carney declared. However, he expressed hope that his administration could still find ways to collaborate with Washington in pursuit of mutual interests.

Relations between the two nations have deteriorated since Trump’s return to office in January, triggering a trade war and fueling demands for Canada to cede its sovereignty and become the 51st U.S. state. Ottawa has responded with retaliatory measures against Trump’s tariffs, while Canadian public opinion has been overwhelmingly opposed to the U.S. president’s insistence on eliminating the border between the two countries.

Carney has described Trump’s administration as Canada’s most significant challenge in a generation.

A Political Newcomer Leading in Turbulent Times

Carney rose to power after securing a decisive victory in the Liberal Party’s leadership race to replace Trudeau. However, despite his extensive experience in finance and economics, the former central banker—who turns 60 this Sunday—has never held elected office.

His political abilities will soon be put to the test, as Canada is likely heading toward a general election in the coming weeks.

As part of efforts to strengthen international ties amid deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations, Carney announced plans to visit Paris and London next week. Among the first global leaders to congratulate him on his new role were German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Carney’s Economic and Political Credentials

Before entering politics, Carney worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs and later served as Governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008-2009 financial crisis. He also led the Bank of England through the uncertainty of Brexit.

Positioning himself as the leader Canada needs to navigate an economic standoff with the U.S., Carney has argued that the country can no longer rely on its southern neighbor as a trusted ally.

However, his tenure may be short-lived. With an election approaching, polls indicate a close contest between Carney and the opposition Conservatives, who have sought to paint him as an out-of-touch elitist. In response, Carney has emphasized that his global expertise—spanning both public and private sectors—makes him uniquely qualified to guide Canada’s economy through this period of instability.

“Carney is stepping in at the right moment. He is emerging as a leader Canadians trust to take on Donald Trump,” said Felix Mathieu, a political science professor at the University of Winnipeg.

Standing Firm Against Trump’s Trade War

Amid Trump’s imposition of sweeping 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, Carney made a symbolic visit to a steel plant in Hamilton, Ontario—an industrial hub near the U.S. border. Donning a hard hat and safety goggles, he reassured workers that he was prepared to negotiate with Trump but stressed that any deal must uphold Canada’s sovereignty.

Carney has also moved to distinguish himself from Trudeau in an effort to appeal to centrist voters. While he has pledged to make climate change a top priority, he has promised to repeal Trudeau’s contentious carbon tax on individuals and families in favor of market-driven solutions.

Despite these policy shifts, much of Trudeau’s former cabinet remains in place, including key officials involved in trade negotiations with the United States.

As Carney embarks on his tenure, he faces the dual challenge of repairing Canada’s strained international relationships and proving his political mettle ahead of an imminent election.