In a bold and blistering statement, newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney took direct aim at President Donald Trump, throwing fuel on an already fiery relationship between the neighboring nations.
A historic comeback
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has officially won the Canadian parliamentary election. A former banker with no previous political experience, Carney took over as leader of the Liberal Party earlier this year.
His party is now set to form Canada’s next government, marking a historic comeback for a party that seemed on the brink of collapse just a few months ago.
Supporters erupted in cheers at a packed Ottawa sports arena, where the Liberals held their election night celebration, after Canada’s national broadcaster CBC projected a win for Carney shortly after 10:00 p.m. EST.
In his first address to the nation, the 60-year-old Liberal leader didn’t hold back, warning Canadians of a shifting global landscape — and the growing pressure from their powerful southern neighbor.
“Humility is also about recognizing that one of the responsibilities of government is to prepare for the worst, not hope for the best,” Carney told his supporters. “As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country – never.”
“But these are not idle threats,” he continued. “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us – that will never, that will never ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”
Not backing down
The speech came just weeks after Carney took over from former PM Justin Trudeau, who stepped down after more than a decade in power.
By now, it’s impossible to ignore the escalating tension between Trump and Canada. It all started with his shocking proposal to make Canada the 51st state.
The U.S. president took things further by mocking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling him the “Governor of Canada,” and claiming that the U.S. is spending an astonishing $200 billion a year to support Canada.
The ongoing trade war and tariff threats has sparked growing resentment among Canadians toward their neighbor, and a sense of patriotism has surged in the country.
Many Canadians have canceled trips to the U.S., begun boycotting American products, and even voted earlier than usual. A record 7.3 million Canadians cast their ballots before election day.
And Mark Carney made it clear that he’s not backing down from Trump’s remarks.
“We are over the shock of the American betrayal,” he said, “but we should never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves and above all we have to take care of each other.”
Will call Trump
He added that any future sit-down with Trump would be on equal footing.
“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 our full knowledge that we have many, many other options than the United States to build prosperity for all Canadians.”
He also urged Canadians to stick together during what he called a national crisis.
“Now in the face of this crisis, united we are buying Canadian. We are exploring everything this country has to offer. We are supporting our friends and neighbors in the crosshairs of President Trump, through a crisis that we did not create.”