Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for a snap election amid a trade war and threat of annexation from US President Donald Trump.
Carney said he was elected by the Liberals on behalf of Justin Trudeau earlier this month after resigning, called the April 28 election, and requires a strong mission to address tariffs issued by the Trump administration and the threat posed on Canada’s economy. The election was originally set for October 20th.
“We are facing the most important crisis of our life due to President Trump’s unfair trade actions and his threat to our sovereignty,” Carney said in a news briefing on Sunday.
Carney demanded that Governor Mary Simon, head of state, Charles, dissolved Parliament and called for an election, adding that she agreed.
“There’s a lot to do to secure Canada,” Carney said. “We invest in Canada, build Canada, unite Canada. That’s why I want strong, positive delegation from my fellow Canadians.”
The major Canadian political parties will launch a campaign as Carney will face straight up with Conservatives Pierre Poilierve, Brock Quebecoa’s Yves François Blanche and New Democrat Jagmeet Singh.
Since becoming president, Trump has threatened sweep tariffs on Canada, including dairy and wood. The Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, shaking financial markets, and pulled $21 billion in retaliatory tariffs from Canada earlier this month. The European Union has also issued retaliatory tariffs worth $28 billion on a wide range of US goods, including boats, motorcycles and alcohol.
Trump argues that the main reason for issuing tariffs on the three largest US trading partners, Canada, China and Mexico, is to curb fentanyl. However, the fentanyl epidemic shows improvements in Glimmer, as only about 10 pounds have been recovered at the Canadian border in the current fiscal year, according to CBP data.
Trump also made multiple comments suggesting Canada should become America’s 51st state, saying the country “works only as a nation.”
“As a state, it’s going to be one of the greatest states everywhere,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office this month. “This is the most incredible country visually. Looking at the map, we painted an artificial line between Canada and the US.
Kearney declined to comment, calling it “crazy.”
“We will never be part of the United States in any way, in any form or form,” Carney said when he was sworn in as prime minister earlier this month.