Mark Carney was officially sworn in as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister on Friday, stepping into office during a period of heightened diplomatic and trade tensions with the United States following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Carney, 60, a political newcomer, was backed by the Liberal Party to replace Justin Trudeau, with supporters citing his extensive experience in managing global financial crises as key to navigating Canada’s economic challenges.
His leadership will be tested as Canada heads into a general election, with US-Canada relations expected to dominate the campaign. Under Trump, the US has imposed heavy tariffs on Canadian imports and threatened additional trade sanctions, even making controversial suggestions about Canada’s sovereignty.
Speaking after his swearing-in ceremony in Ottawa, Carney acknowledged the challenges ahead, calling Trump’s aggressive trade stance “one of the most significant threats Canada has faced in decades.”
Before entering politics, Carney built a career as an investment banker and later served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. He also led the Bank of England during Brexit, further solidifying his reputation as an expert in economic management.
In a move to reset Canada’s foreign policy approach, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced plans to facilitate a call between Carney and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the coming days.
With Canada’s political landscape shifting, Carney has positioned himself as a leader capable of standing up to Trump while seeking to attract centrist voters. He has pledged to address climate change but distanced himself from Trudeau’s controversial carbon tax.
His first major test as Prime Minister will be navigating Canada’s economic future while maintaining stability in the country’s relationship with its largest trading partner.
