Mark Carney issued a warning to U.S. President Donald Trump in his Canadian election victory speech after he secured a fourth term for the Liberals. 

Voters went to the polls on Monday, April 28, after Carney called a snap election last month. 

The former Bank of England governor said he needed a clear mandate to deal with the U.S. president amid a trade war and Trump suggesting he wanted Canada to be the 51st state. 

Carney used his victory speech to send a warning to U.S. President Donald Trump

Image credits: Getty Images

Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau, used his victory speech to warn Trump that he will never break Canada. 

“As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” Carney told supporters at a rally in Ottawa. 

“These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us, so America can own us. 

“That will never—that will never, ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”

Image credits: The Independent

Carney, a political newcomer, described the current era as a “hinge moment” in history, marking the end of an open, U.S.-anchored global trade system.

Canadians had relied on that trade since World War II, he said, and while it was not perfect, it had helped deliver prosperity. 

“These are tragedies, but it is also our new reality,” he said. “Our old relationship with the U.S., one based on steadily increasing integration, is over,” Carney added. 

“We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons.” 

Image credits: Getty Images

With votes still being counted, the Liberals have secured 167 seats—five short of the 172 needed to form a majority government, Reuters reported.

The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, have secured 145 seats so far.

Poilievre conceded the election to Carney and said his party would work with the government to defend Canada’s interests.

“I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Carney on leading this minority government,” he told his supporters. 

Pierre Poilievre conceded the election and said his party would work with the new government

Image credits: Getty Images

“And as I said, while we will do our constitutional duty of holding the government to account and proposing better alternatives, we will always put Canada first as we stare down tariffs and other irresponsible threats from President Trump,” Poilievre added.

“Conservatives will work with the prime minister and all parties with the common goal of defending Canada’s interests and getting a new trade deal that puts these tariffs behind us while protecting our sovereignty and the Canadian people.” 

Trump has not responded to Carney’s win yet, but as voters headed to the polls, he posted on Truth Social, once again claiming Canada should be the 51st state. 

Image credits: MarkJCarney

“Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America,” Trump said. 

“America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year that we have been spending in the past. It makes no sense unless Canada is a State,” he added. 

World leaders have congratulated Carney on the win, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying he was looking forward to strengthening ties between the two countries. 

“We will work together to deepen our economic relationship to deliver security for hardworking people in the UK and Canada,” Starmer posted on X.

“I welcome your leadership on international issues, and I know we will continue to work closely on defence, security, trade and investment,” he added.

World leaders congratulated Justin Trudeau’s successor

Image credits: Keir_Starmer

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney on your victory. In a time of global uncertainty, I look forward to continuing to work with you to build on the enduring friendship between our nations, in the shared interests of all our citizens.” 

European Council President António Costa sent his “warm congratulations” to Carney and said the “EU and Canada have a long and close partnership.”

“We are allies and strong trade partners. We share the same values, and attachment to the @UN Charter and the rules-based international order,” he added. 

Former U.S. President Joe Biden also sent his congratulations. 

“I congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party on their success in Canada’s election,” he posted on X. 

“I’m confident Mark will be a strong leader for the fundamental values and interests Canadians and Americans share.” 

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ended his nine-year term as leader this year, announcing his intention to resign in January. 

I leave as leader of the Liberal Party with the same belief in hope and hard work as when I started.

Hope for this party and for this country, because of the millions of Canadians who prove every day that better is always possible.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 9, 2025

Image credits: Justin Trudeau

Trudeau had become unpopular with Canadians, with his approval ratings dropping to 33% last year, according to an Ipsos poll. 

Canadians were unhappy with inflation and the economy, as well as access to affordable housing. 

The same poll had Poilievre as the top pick for prime minister in this year’s election, but with Trump’s tariff and annexation threats, the Liberals managed to flip the election. 

Anger at Trump provoked a surge in nationalism, and Carney used this to his advantage during the campaign, helping him to secure the victory.