Mark Carney took aim at Donald Trump as his Liberal Party celebrated a stunning election victory in Canada. The Liberals had been heading for a devastating defeat in the election before Mr Trump’s trade war and comments about making Canada the 51st US state infuriated Canadians and fuelled a surge in nationalism, helping the party to a fourth-straight term in power.
Mr Carney, who has been no stranger to criticising Mr Trump since becoming Canada’s PM, used his victory speech to warn the US President, whom he said is “trying to break us”.
“We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons,” he told supporters in Ottawa.
“As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country.
“These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never … ever happen. But we also must recognise the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”
The Liberals were projected to win more of Canada’s Parliament, 343 seats, than the Conservatives after the polls closed, although it wasn’t immediately clear if they would win an outright majority.
The Conservatives, who had earlier been the favourites, were looking to make the election a referendum on former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whose popularity was fading after 10 years in post amid cost of living rises.
But he stood down and was replaced in March by Mr Carney, a Brexit-bashing former Bank of England boss.
After winning the Liberal leadership race, he warned Mr Trump that “America is not Canada”, adding: “The Americans, they should make no mistake, in trade, as in hockey, Canada will win.”
The Trump administration’s approach has angered many Canadians.
There have been reports of many Canadians cancelling holidays to the US and refusing to buy American goods.
Mr Carney has said his party will stand up to the US and that Canada will need to be less reliant on its neighbours.
He said in his victory speech: “We can give ourselves far more than the Americans can ever take away.
“The coming days and months will be challenging and will require some sacrifices but we will share those sacrifices by supporting our workers and our businesses.”
