In a bold and defiant stance, Mark Carney, Canada’s newly elected Liberal Party leader and incoming prime minister, has promised to take on U.S. President Donald Trump in an escalating trade war between the two nations.
Carney, a former central banker with an international reputation, secured the leadership role on March 9, 2025, succeeding Justin Trudeau amid a shifting political landscape and growing economic tensions with the United States.
His victory speech, delivered to enthusiastic supporters, underscored his determination to protect Canadian interests, and news outlets worldwide captured the moment.
According to Benzinga, Carney declared, “Americans should make no mistake. In trade, as in hockey, Canada will win.”
The outlet reported that Carney’s leadership win marks a historic shift, as he becomes the first Canadian prime minister without prior legislative or cabinet experience.
His background as a Harvard-educated economist and former Goldman Sachs banker, coupled with his tenure as Governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, positions him as a formidable figure to navigate the country through its current challenges.
Benzinga also noted that Carney vowed to maintain retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports “until the Americans show us respect,” signaling a hardline approach to Trump’s recent trade policies.
The BBC echoed this sentiment, highlighting Carney’s promise to “win” the trade war in its coverage on March 10, 2025.
The news outlet reported that Trump’s imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods the previous week—though some products were later exempted—sparked outrage and set the stage for Carney’s combative rhetoric.
“We’re going to stand up to a bully,” Carney had previously told BBC Newsnight in late January, foreshadowing his current strategy.
The BBC emphasized that Carney’s leadership comes at a critical juncture, with Canada facing not only trade disputes but also domestic issues like a housing crisis and rising living costs that eroded Trudeau’s popularity.
Reuters provided additional context, noting that Carney’s ascent follows a landslide vote within the Liberal Party on March 9, 2025.
The outlet described Canada as “in the midst of a trade war with longtime ally the United States,” a situation exacerbated by Trump’s aggressive tariff threats.
Reuters also reported that Carney is expected to lead a minority government, adding complexity to his ability to enact his agenda. Nevertheless, his financial expertise and global stature have raised expectations that he can steer Canada through this economic storm.
The Associated Press (AP) offered further insight, reporting on March 10, 2025, that Carney’s election as Liberal Party leader paves the way for him to trigger a general election in the coming days or weeks.
“Former central banker Mark Carney will become prime minister of Canada,” AP stated, emphasizing the urgency of his response to Trump’s tariffs.
The outlet highlighted Carney’s combative tone, quoting him as saying Canada “will never” back down from the trade fight—a sentiment also captured by AFP, which described Carney striking a “defiant note” against the U.S. president.
Carney’s rhetoric has not gone unnoticed on the international stage.
AFP reported from Ottawa that the incoming prime minister warned Trump that Canada would not be pushed around, stating, “We’re united, and we’re not going to back down.”
This defiance comes as Trump’s policies threaten to disrupt the historically close economic ties between the two nations, which share one of the world’s largest bilateral trade relationships.
While Carney’s leadership has sparked optimism among some Canadians, it has also raised questions about the feasibility of his promises.
Leading a minority government, he will need to navigate a fractured parliament to implement his trade strategy, a challenge noted by multiple outlets.
Moreover, his lack of political experience, as highlighted by Benzinga, could complicate his ability to unify the country behind his bold vision.
As Mark Carney prepares to take office, his vow to “win” the trade war with Trump has set the tone for a contentious chapter in Canada-U.S. relations.
With his economic acumen and unyielding rhetoric, Carney appears ready to lead Canada into battle on the trade front—though the outcome remains uncertain. As BBC, Reuters, AP, AFP, and Benzinga have all reported, the stakes are high, and the world is watching.
