Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly declared that Canada would “never” yield to pressure from the United States as he celebrated a decisive federal election victory early Tuesday. The campaign had been dominated by escalating tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, including aggressive rhetoric and punitive trade tariffs.
In a defiant speech, the Liberal Party leader condemned Trump’s actions and delivered a message of unity to a divided nation, vowing to represent “everyone who calls Canada home.”
“For months, I’ve warned that America covets our land, our resources, our water—our very sovereignty,” Carney said. “These aren’t idle threats. President Trump is trying to weaken us to assert control. But that will never happen.”
He reiterated his campaign message about the fundamentally altered relationship between the two nations, calling for resilience and solidarity.
“We’ve moved beyond the initial shock of America’s betrayal, but we must never forget the lesson: we must stand on our own and take care of one another.”
Voters have returned Canada’s Liberal Party to power for a fourth consecutive term, though it remains unclear whether Prime Minister Mark Carney has secured a parliamentary majority or will need to rely on coalition partners to govern. A total of 172 seats are required for a majority in the House of Commons. CNN affiliate CTV is projecting a minority government, while CBC reports it is still too early to make a definitive call.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre conceded defeat early Tuesday, acknowledging that Carney had won enough seats to form what he called a “razor-thin minority government.”
Carney, 60, a former central banker, has led a surge of anti-Trump sentiment since taking over the Liberal leadership in a landslide following Justin Trudeau’s resignation last month. He made a forceful defense of Canadian sovereignty a cornerstone of his campaign, rallying public support against U.S. President Donald Trump’s provocative threats—including suggestions that Canada could be annexed as “the 51st state.”
Initially seen as the frontrunner after Trudeau stepped down amid internal cabinet dissent, a cost-of-living crisis, and dismal polling, Poilievre’s momentum was upended as the election transformed into a referendum on Trump’s increasingly aggressive posture toward Canada.
In his concession speech, Poilievre pledged to work with Carney and other parties to safeguard national interests. “We will always put Canada first as we face down tariffs and other reckless threats from President Trump,” he said.
Before becoming prime minister, Mark Carney had never held elected office. However, his decades-long career in global finance positioned him as a steady hand during times of crisis. He played a key role in guiding Canada through the 2008 financial meltdown as governor of the Bank of Canada and later helped the United Kingdom navigate the economic uncertainties of Brexit during his tenure at the Bank of England—an experience he has compared to the potential fallout facing the United States under escalating tariffs.
Since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney has consistently emphasized the need for Canada to chart an independent course, free from overreliance on U.S. influence. Throughout the campaign, he presented himself as a pragmatic centrist with deep economic expertise—an experienced leader equipped to steer the country through turbulent times.
“I understand how the world works,” Carney said in an October interview with podcaster Nate Erskine-Smith. “I know the people who run some of the world’s largest companies and how those companies operate. I know how financial institutions and markets function—and I’m applying that knowledge for Canada’s benefit.”
His warnings have gained urgency in light of escalating economic threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. The imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian steel, aluminum, automobiles, and parts—alongside potential levies on pharmaceuticals and lumber—has deeply unsettled Canadian industries and edged the economy toward recession. Carney has been candid about the risks, cautioning of “tough days ahead” as businesses and jobs come under strain.
In response, the prime minister has outlined a vision for economic resilience, promising to rebuild domestic capacity and reduce dependency on the United States. “We will build things in this country again,” he pledged, pointing to investments in housing, manufacturing, and both clean and traditional energy sectors.
Though he hasn’t closed the door on future dialogue with Trump, Carney has taken early steps to diversify Canada’s international alliances. His first official trip abroad as prime minister was to Europe, where he met with French and British leaders to strengthen defense, trade, and diplomatic ties—a deliberate shift toward more stable global partnerships.
In his victory speech, Carney made his stance clear: “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 the full knowledge that we have many, many other options beyond the United States to build lasting prosperity for all Canadians,” Carney added, underscoring his determination to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on its southern neighbor.
Experts say many Canadians view Carney as uniquely equipped to lead the country through a potential trade war with its long-standing ally, citing his deep experience in global finance and crisis management.
“In a crisis, it’s essential to come together and act decisively—and that’s exactly what we will do,” Carney said earlier this month, as he cast himself as the leader prepared to confront Trump’s economic aggression.
Tuesday’s election also brought significant upheaval for the New Democratic Party (NDP), which failed to win enough seats to maintain official party status. The center-left party, long a crucial partner in supporting Liberal minority governments, now faces a diminished role in Parliament. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh announced his resignation after losing his seat.
In a parting statement, Singh voiced support for Carney, saying, “He has an important responsibility—to represent all Canadians and defend our country’s sovereignty against the threats posed by Donald Trump.”
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