Mark Carney Elected as Canada's New Liberal Party Leader with 86% of Votes, Promises Retaliatory Tariffs Against U.S.

Mark Carney, a former central banker with no prior political experience, has been elected as the new leader of Canada's Liberal Party and is set to replace Justin Trudeau as the country's prime minister. Carney, who previously served as governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, won the leadership vote with 86% of the nearly 152,000 votes cast, decisively defeating his main challenger, Chrystia Freeland, who received 8%. Carney's election comes at a time of heightened economic tensions between Canada and the United States, primarily due to policies under President Donald Trump. In his victory speech, Carney vowed to stand up to Trump's tariff threats, stating that Canada would never be part of the United States and would win in trade disputes, likening them to a hockey game. He also criticized Trump's attempts to weaken the Canadian economy through tariffs, which he described as unjustified. The new prime minister has promised to maintain retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. until Washington shows more respect in trade relations. Carney's stance reflects a broader sentiment in Canada, where public opinion has shifted against the U.S. due to Trump's aggressive trade policies and threats of annexation. Carney's leadership is seen as a response to these challenges, aiming to bolster Canada's economy, maintain its sovereignty, and focus on net zero emissions.