New PM insists Canada won't compromise its sovereignty amid tariff tensions
Canada’s new prime minister Mark Carney immediately made his position clear after taking office on Friday, strongly dismissing US president Donald Trump’s suggestions about Canada potentially becoming the United States' "51st state".
“We will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States,” Carney said shortly after being sworn in, addressing weeks of speculation fuelled by Trump and his administration.
“America is not Canada.”
Carney’s comments mark his first direct response to Trump’s repeated hints at annexing Canada. Still, the new Prime Minister, formerly the governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, noted he’s open to talks with Trump, provided they take place “under a position where there’s respect for Canadian sovereignty.”
Carney further underscored the significant differences between Canada and the United States by highlighting the diversity of his new cabinet.
“Look at the cabinet behind me. You would not have that cabinet in America,” he said. “You do not have that cabinet in America. We are a very fundamentally different country.”
Carney’s new cabinet features some familiar faces and notable changes: François-Philippe Champagne is now finance minister, Dominic LeBlanc has shifted roles to international trade, Mélanie Joly has stayed on as foreign affairs minister, and Bill Blair has continued as national defence minister. Notably, former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has returned as transport minister.
Read next: Ministers say Carney could reset ties with the US
Tensions between Canada and the United States have escalated recently as Trump moved ahead with imposing heavy tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium, creating economic anxiety for both countries. Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, saw his popularity rise in recent weeks as he openly resisted these threats from Trump.
Thank you, Canada — for trusting in me, for challenging me, and for granting me the privilege to serve the best country, and the best people, on earth.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 14, 2025
Addressing economic priorities, Carney stressed Canada’s need to build internally.
“The nature of Canada means we won’t [join the US],” Carney said. “The economics means we shouldn’t.
“What you will see from this government is focusing on building here at home, building with different partners abroad. And that will reinforce the point. It’s good - we’re doing it for our own reasons, to be clear. For our own people, for the high-paying jobs. But eventually the truth will out, and the Americans will understand as well.”
Provincial leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have expressed optimism about Carney’s potential to ease tensions with the US. Ford praised Carney’s understanding of numbers, calling him “an extremely astute business mind”, and predicted a better relationship with Trump compared to Trudeau’s tenure.
Despite Carney’s firm rebuke, Trump has continued to pursue his aggressive trade strategy, linking tariffs to unrelated issues such as border security and fentanyl trafficking. He has also threatened reciprocal tariffs on a wide range of Canadian exports, slated for implementation in early April.
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