After nine years under Justin Trudeau, Canada has selected a new Prime Minister: former central banker Mark Carney.
Carney has never held elected office, but became the overwhelming favorite to replace former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after Trudeau announced his resignation in January. Carney cruised to an easy victory with 86% of the vote from Liberal Party members.
Carney takes office at a precarious time for Canada.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as America’s “51st state” over the past few months. In December, Trump mocked Justin Trudeau as “Governor Trudeau” of the “Great State of Canada.”
In his victory speech on Friday, Carney directly rebuked Trump’s statements, saying “we will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States.”
Carney must also navigate an escalating trade war with the United States.
When Trump assumed office on January 20th, he immediately threatened Canada with 25% tariffs. In response, Canada has announced their own retaliatory tariffs and has threatened to increase electricity prices for American customers.
It will now fall on Mark Carney to resolve that dispute or face the harsh economic consequences for Canada.
