Mark Carney will most likely be in power just a few weeks before a federal election is held. To win, he will try to convince Canadians he can take on, but also negotiate with, Trump.
Mark Carney, Canada’s soon-to-be prime minister, weathered two era-defining implosions in his career as a central banker: the 2008 global financial crisis and Brexit.
He has dealt with political chaos, societal upheaval and economic meltdown.
Now he faces what is arguably the challenge of a lifetime: Donald J. Trump.
Can Mr. Carney negotiate with Mr. Trump over tariffs and other combustible issues and find room for compromise, while trying to win a federal election on a full-throated anti-Trump platform?
Mr. Carney was elected on Sunday as leader of the Liberal Party and, in line with Canada’s parliamentary political system, will be sworn in as prime minister, marking the end of the Justin Trudeau era.
His acceptance speech was barely celebratory. Instead, it was more of a war cry.
“America is not Canada, and Canada never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape or form,” he told party faithful on Sunday night in Ottawa, referring to Mr. Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state.
“We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves.”