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Mark Carney has been chosen as the new leader of Canada's Liberal Party after a protracted and competitive selection process aimed at succeeding Justin Trudeau.
He is now tasked with guiding the party into the upcoming federal elections, which are required to occur before October, where he is anticipated to encounter significant challenges from the leading Conservative party in the polls. Although Carney assumes the role of Liberal Party leader immediately, Trudeau will continue to serve as prime minister during an unspecified transition period to facilitate a smooth handover.
In light of ongoing tensions with the United States, where President Donald Trump has accused Canada of contributing to "illegal immigration " and has threatened various economic measures, Carney emphasized the need for Canada to forge new trade relationships with dependable partners. He also committed to maintaining retaliatory tariffs against the US until there is a demonstration of respect from American officials.
In his address to the Liberal Party convention, Carney said that "new threats demand new ideas and a new plan," reinforcing Canada's independence by saying, "Canada will never be part of the US."
Carney criticized the Trump administration's tariff strategies, asserting that the US president is undermining Canadian families, workers, and businesses, and emphasized the need to resist his efforts. He confidently said that Canada will prevail in trade, just as in hockey. The strained relations with the US have permeated Canadian culture, evident in instances where fans at NHL and NBA games have booed the US national anthem.
Carney is set to confront Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has attempted to distance himself from Trump despite previous comparisons.
At a recent press conference, Poilievre asserted he is “not MAGA.” During a rally before the Liberal vote, he criticized Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, claiming that Carney's association with Trudeau has weakened Canada while benefiting the US.
In response to the election results, Carney countered Poilievre's attacks, stating that Trump aims to weaken Canada through division, and warned that Poilievre's approach would similarly leave the nation vulnerable.
In his final comments as Liberal Party leader, Trudeau cautioned that Canadians are facing an “existential challenge” from the US, describing it as a pivotal moment for the nation and highlighting the resilience of Canadians in the face of an economic crisis.