Canada’s incoming Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has strongly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state of America, vowing to defend the country’s sovereignty at all costs.
In his victory speech on Sunday, Carney, who was elected leader of Canada’s Liberal Party with an overwhelming 86% of the vote, declared that “Canada will never, ever… be a part of America in any way, shape, or form.”
The former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor also criticized Trump’s trade policies, accusing him of imposing unfair tariffs aimed at destabilizing Canada’s economy. He warned that if Trump’s economic measures were left unchecked, they could harm Canada’s way of life.
“The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country,” Carney said. “If they succeeded, they would destroy our way of life.”
He also took aim at the U.S. healthcare system, contrasting it with Canada’s universal model. “In America, healthcare is a big business. In Canada, it is a right,” he asserted.
Carney further vowed to maintain retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. until the American government treated Canada with respect, positioning himself as a strong defender of the nation’s economic independence.
His rise to leadership comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation earlier this year. Following his swearing-in, Carney is expected to call for an early federal election as he seeks to solidify his government’s mandate.