Mark Carney Wins Canada’s Leadership Race, Vows to Stand Up to Trump in Trade War
(Adapted from a BBC report)
Mark Carney, the former head of Canada’s central bank and the Bank of England, has won the race to become Canada’s next prime minister.
He defeated three rivals in a landslide victory and promised to stand strong against U.S. President Donald Trump in the ongoing trade war.
According to the BBC, Carney, 59, used his victory speech to criticize Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canada and even suggested making Canada the “51st state” of the U.S.
Carney, who has never held elected office before, will soon be sworn in as prime minister. He takes over from Justin Trudeau, who resigned after nearly a decade in power due to falling popularity.
Carney won 85.9% of the vote in the Liberal Party’s leadership contest, beating his closest rival, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
In his speech, Carney vowed to protect Canada’s economy and workers from Trump’s tariffs, saying, “Canada will win” in trade just as it does in hockey.
He also promised to keep Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods until the U.S. shows respect. The BBC reports that Carney’s leadership comes at a critical time, as Canada’s economy relies heavily on trade with the U.S., and Trump’s tariffs could push the country into a recession.
Carney also addressed Trump’s accusations that Canada isn’t controlling its borders, promising to “secure our borders” and protect Canadian sovereignty. He criticized Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, accusing him of being too close to Trump and not standing up for Canada.
The BBC highlights that Carney’s victory has energized the Liberal Party, which was trailing the Conservatives in polls earlier this year. Carney now faces the challenge of leading a minority government and preparing for a possible early election.
Carney’s policies focus on boosting Canada’s economy, including investing in housing, clean energy, and major energy projects like pipelines. He also plans to reduce trade barriers between Canadian provinces and diversify the economy away from the U.S.
As Canada’s new leader, Carney’s tough stance against Trump could reshape the country’s relationship with the U.S. and strengthen ties with other allies.
The BBC notes that his leadership marks a new chapter for Canada, as it navigates the challenges of a trade war and a shifting global economy.
(This simplified version is based on the original BBC report.)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c36wkg47z1po