New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney lambasts Donald Trump

Canada’s new Prime Minister, previously head of Canada and the United Kingdom’s central banks, has blasted Donald Trump and accused the United States President of trying to wreck Canada’s way of life.

“In trade, as in hockey, Canada will win,” Mark Carney said after being chosen to replace Justin Trudeau and winning 85.9% of votes among Liberal Party of Canada nominees.

“I know that these are dark days, dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust,” he said just after midday, NZT.

Facing Trump Administration tariffs, Carney promised “to create new trading relationships with reliable partners”.

He added: “The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country”.

Carney was the Bank of Canada’s Governor from 2008 to 2013, and Bank of England Governor from 2013 to 2020.

“I do care about the economy but it’s not because I’m an economist. It’s because I care about people. That’s why I’m a Liberal,” he told a party crowd in Ottawa.

Carney, 59, said Trump had imposed unjustified tariffs.

“He’s attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses. And we cannot let him succeed.”

Trump late last week delayed the installation of some tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico.

Carney also mentioned domestic economic policies.

“I am a pragmatist above all ... My Government will eliminate the divisive consumer carbon tax.”

The tax increased the costs of burning polluting fossil fuels and encouraged cleaner alternatives.

US President Donald Trump and then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met in the Oval Office in 2017. Photo / AFP

During his campaign, Carney said he’d replace the tax with a system of incentives to reward Canadians for making greener choices, such as purchasing an energy efficient appliance, electric vehicle, or improved home insulation.

Carney also addressed a type of tax often discussed in New Zealand.

“And we will stop the hike in the capital gains tax. We think builders should be incentivised for taking risks, and rewarded when they succeed.”

Carney said he would pursue policies of fiscal responsibility and social justice.

“I will work day and night with one purpose, which is to build a stronger Canada for everyone. But I will need help. I will need a lot of help,” he said after winning at the Liberal leadership event.

“We’re all being called to stand up for each other and for the Canadian way of life. So let me ask you: Who’s ready? Who’s ready to stand up for Canada with me?”

Mark Carney has taken over from Justin Trudeau. Here he's seen taking the stage during election night, moments before the announcement of results, at Rogers Centre, in Ottawa. Photo / Artur Widak, NurPhoto

Speaking to the Herald from Vancouver, University of British Columbia political scientist Gerald Baier said that since Trump was re-elected, bilateral relations had been bad.

“They’re the worst in my lifetime. I’m 53. It’s definitely been pretty horrible.”

He said 18 months ago, the Conservative Party was expected to oust the Liberals and win in a landslide.

But support in Canada for the Liberals had shot up since Trudeau announced his resignation on January 6.

Baier said some Conservatives might have sympathies for Trump or the Maga movement but until recently a key unifier of those voters was simply antipathy to Trudeau.

“Definitely the Trump stuff has taken over Canadian politics. All of a sudden the principal opponent is Donald Trump, who’s not running for office in our country.”

Baier said some Canadian alcohol buyers had refused to purchase drinks from Kentucky, where some 64.47% of voters supported Trump and US Vice-President JD Vance in last year’s election.

“It’s completely unprecedented the way Trump is talking,” Baier said.

“It’s hard to know what he really is doing. Is Trump just doing these negotiations differently? Will something else catch his eye and he’ll forget about us?

“Let’s hope Australia never elects a Prime Minister who wants to be as mean to you guys.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens as President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Cabinet Meeting at the White House. Photo / Andrew Harnik, Getty Images via AFP

Westpac economist Darren Gibbs said Carney should be able to grasp the economic challenges facing Canada.

‘He’s very highly thought-of, he’s very smart, very articulate.

“He’s probably a good person to be leading Canada at this point - there’s a lot of economics to be understood.”

Gibbs said that although Carney was a relative newcomer to politics, “central bank governors still operate in political worlds”.

He said some of Carney’s monetary policy positions appeared to be centrist and orthodox, rather than left-wing.

He said the new Prime Minister seemed unlikely to back down for Trump.

“There could be interesting conversations ahead.”

University of Otago professor of international relations Robert Patman said Carney’s robust language today would not necessarily do more damage to US-Canada relations.

He said on a visit to Canada in early January, he met people who were enraged at Trump for referring to the previous Prime Minister as “Governor Trudeau” and calling for Canada to become the 51st US state.

“Across the political spectrum, Canadians were furious, absolutely incandescent with anger.”

Patman told the Herald a defiant tone on tariffs had probably helped the Liberals’ cause among Canadian voters.

He said Carney as Bank of England Governor had opposed Brexit, in a guarded manner consistent with being a civil servant.

He said New Zealand-Canada relations were stable and supportive despite some trade disputes.

In October, Trade Minister Todd McClay said Canada breached its obligations by blocking New Zealand dairy exporters’ access to the Canadian market.

Negotiations on that were ongoing but Patman said New Zealand had far more common ground with Canada.

“They’re probably disappointed that we haven’t expressed solidarity with them. Our Government’s kept its head down,” Patman said.