Updated Apr 29, 2025 - World

Carney takes aim at Trump as Liberals claim victory in Canada's election

Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister and leader of Canada's Liberal Party, during an election night event at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, early on Tuesday, April 29. — Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister and leader of Canada's Liberal Party, during an election night event at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, early on Tuesday. Photo: David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed to stand up to President Trump and his repeated threats against Canada as his Liberal Party claimed victory in Monday's federal election.

Why it matters: The Liberal Party looked on the verge of losing power for the first time in a decade, but it shored up support among voters after Trump's threats to annex Canada and his tariff regime targeted the longtime U.S. ally.

What they're saying: "America wants our land, our resources, our water," Carney said in his victory speech after his main rival, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, conceded the election.

"These are not idle threats. Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never happen."
Carney declared Canada's "old relationship of integration" with the U.S. "over" and said when he sits down with Trump, it will be to discuss the future economy and security relationship between two sovereign nations."
He said there were "many, many other options to build prosperity for all Canadians" and he would steer the country's economy to be less dependent on the U.S.

What we're watching: It wasn't immediately clear at 2am Tuesday ET whether the fourth consecutive Liberal government had won the required 172 seats needed to form a majority government as the results continued to be posted on the Elections Canada website.

Catch up quick: Days after being sworn in as prime minister, Carney called a snap election on April 28.

Elections Canada estimates seven million Canadians cast early votes — marking record turnout.

Zoom in: Voters in Canada don't directly elect the prime minister. Instead, the winning party's leader takes on the role.

Carney ran for parliament for the first time to represent a district in suburban Ottawa.

State of play: Carney is a 60-year-old former bank governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.

He is a newcomer to electoral politics, but previously advised former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Canada's economic response to COVID.

The big picture: Carney will chart the country's course amid deteriorating relations with the U.S.

In response to Trump's tariffs, liberals pitched a $2 billion response to shield the Canadian auto industry and boost competitiveness.
Conservatives, meanwhile, pledged a temporary fund that would provide up to $3 billion in short-term credit lines and low-interest loans for businesses affected by tariffs.
Trump has said the results of the election didn't matter to him "at all." Both Carney and Poilievre rejected his "51st state" threats.

Go deeper: What to know about Canada's election and its stakes

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Carney takes aim at Trump as Liberals claim victory in Canada's election

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