International

Mark Carney Sworn in as Canada’s PM, Vows Never to Be Part of US

Published

1 month ago

Mar 15, 2025.

Dennis

Mark Carney sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister, vowing to keep the country independent from the US.
Ends consumer carbon pricing program while maintaining industrial carbon tax on large emitters.
Faces a close election race against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre amid US trade tensions.

Mark Carney, an economist and political newcomer, has been sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister, vowing that the country will “never” become part of the United States.

Carney assumed office on Friday, just days after securing a landslide victory in the Liberal leadership race, replacing Justin Trudeau, who stepped down after nine years in power. His swearing-in comes amid an escalating trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We know that by building together, we can give ourselves far more than anyone else can take away,” Carney said in his inaugural speech.

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Later, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, he firmly rejected Trump’s recent suggestion that Canada could become the “51st state.”
“We will never, in any shape or form, be part of the U.S.,” Carney stated. “We are fundamentally a different country,” adding that the notion was “crazy.”

Although he did not confirm whether he would call an early election—currently scheduled for October—Carney hinted at seeking “as strong a mandate as is needed for the time.”

One of Carney’s first major decisions was to end the consumer carbon pricing program, a key but increasingly unpopular environmental policy under Trudeau. While an industrial carbon tax on large emitters remains in place, Carney emphasized that his government would continue efforts to combat climate change. Canadians will receive their final carbon rebate in April.

Meanwhile, Carney is preparing for his first diplomatic trip as prime minister, set to visit the UK and France next week. He also signaled openness to talks with Trump, saying, “We respect the United States. We respect President Trump. He has put some very important issues at the top of his agenda.”

However, Carney has pledged to uphold Canada’s reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods as long as Trump maintains a 25% universal tariff on Canadian exports not covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Economists warn that if Trump’s tariffs are fully implemented, Canada could face a recession.

Carney’s biggest political challenge lies ahead, as he prepares to face off against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in the next federal election.

Before Trump’s tariffs became a major issue, Poilievre’s Conservatives enjoyed a 20-point lead in some polls. Now, the race appears to be tightening.

Speaking after Carney’s swearing-in, Poilievre dismissed the new prime minister as a continuation of the status quo. “It will be the same Liberal results,” he said, arguing that after nine years in power, the party had failed to improve affordability and other key issues.

Poilievre also promised to take a hardline stance against Trump if elected, vowing to “face off against President Trump directly, respond with counter-tariffs, and take back control.”

Carney’s cabinet largely retains key figures from the Trudeau administration, particularly those who have been negotiating with the Trump administration in recent months. Mélanie Joly remains in foreign affairs, David McGuinty stays in public safety, Jonathan Wilkinson continues as energy minister, while Dominic Leblanc moves from finance to trade, and François-Philippe Champagne shifts from industry to finance.

However, Carney’s leadership has already drawn criticism from the left. New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh accused him of sidelining progressive voices within the Liberal Party. Singh pointed out the absence of dedicated cabinet positions for women, youth, or people with disabilities and described Carney as someone who has enriched billionaires “at the cost of workers.”

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