Even as Justin (Trudeau) is Just out… and Mark Carney, the new leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party, who is set to become the next Canadian Prime Minister… he has several unpleasant tasks and goals to achieve as he has inherited a difficult situation courtesy to (some extent) his predecessor.
Carney comes at a time even as Trump is thumping around the globe with his tariff brouhaha and Carney among other things also has to handle the situation with India which to a large extent had gone awry in the Trudeau regime. The 59-year-old former Central banker would also want to diversify Ottawa's trade relationship with New Delhi.
Carney had handsomely won a race to replace Trudeau as Canada's top leader after securing 85.9 per cent of votes in the Liberal Party leadership race.
Recently, before his election, Carney addressed the issue of US tariffs on Canada by saying, “What Canada will be looking to do is to diversify our trading relationships with like-minded countries, and there are opportunities to rebuild the relationship with India."
“There needs to be a shared sense of values around that commercial relationship, and if I am Prime Minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that,” he added.
Carney, a veteran in the field of economics and finance, is keen to boost Ottawa's economic ties with New Delhi.
Carney had previously led both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England and also headed the board of Brookfield Asset Management, which has invested in India's realty, renewable energy and infrastructure sectors.
Carney’s effort to improve bilateral ties will in all possibility be welcomed by New Delhi, especially amid Donald Trump's tariff threats which will affect both countries. With Canada being one of the top destinations for Indians migrating abroad, New Delhi may also raise the issue of Canada restricting immigration and tightening norms for visas.
The ties between India and Canada reached an all-time low after Trudeau in September 2023 alleged that Indians were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in 2023. New Delhi repeatedly refuted the allegations, calling them “baseless”. Following this, both countries expelled each other's top diplomats.
Canada had also paused the Early Progress Trade Agreement, which would have concluded in 2023.
It may be recalled that during his leadership campaign, Carney emphasised his commitment to strengthening ties with India. Addressing concerns over US tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, he highlighted the need for Canada to diversify its trade partnerships with like-minded nations.
He further stressed the importance of shared values in commercial relations and expressed his eagerness to improve diplomatic ties with New Delhi in the event of him being elected.
“There needs to be a shared sense of values around that commercial relationship and if I’m Prime Minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that,” he added.
Carney will assume the crucial role during an exceedingly turbulent period for Canada, as the country faces a trade war with its long time ally, the United States, under the country’s re-elected President Donald Trump, while also preparing for a general election.
Mark Carney, who has been vocal in his criticism of President Trump, reinforced his stance against the US as he delivered his victory speech. He declared that he would never allow Ottawa to be “part of America.”
“America is not Canada. Canada will never ever be part of America in any way, shape or form," he said.
As far as Trump’s tariff threats are concerned, Carney stated that Canada’s retaliatory measures would remain in effect until the US makes a credible commitment to free and fair trade.
Following Trump’s decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods, excluding the automobile and energy sectors, Canada, under (outgoing) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had held a retaliatory stance.
“There’s someone who’s trying to weaken our economy,” Carney said of Trump, spurring loud boos at the party gathering. “He’s attacking Canadian workers, families, and businesses. We can’t let him succeed.”
“This won’t be business as usual," Carney said. “We will have to do things that we haven’t imagined before, at speeds we didn’t think possible.”
The major political upheaval in Canada came after Trudeau announced in January that he would step down after more than nine years in power as his approval rating fell, forcing the ruling Liberal Party to run a quick contest to replace him.
Known for his criticism of US President Donald Trump, on his victory announcement as well, Carney expressed his strong stand against America.
In response to Trump's repeated wish of making Canada the 51st state of the United States, Carney responded by saying, “America is not Canada. Canada will never ever be part of America in any way, shape or form.”
He described America as a country “we can no longer trust” as it has brought dark days to Canada. “We are getting over the shock but let us never forget the lessons, we have to look after ourselves and to look out for each other. We need to pull together in the tough days ahead.”
Mark Carney promised the people of Canada that together, the nation will get through this crisis. “We can and we will come out stronger than ever, and we will because Canada is built on the strength of its people.”
“Vive la Canada (long live Canada),” Mark Carney said while concluding his speech.
The PM-designate, in his victory speech, highlighted the main dual challenges he will be facing – especially the threat of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
“Donald Trump as we know has put unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell and how we make a living. He is attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses and we cannot let him succeed, and we won’t, we won’t,” Carney declared after the results.
The rest, time will take care of… and we shall all see what Carney does to mend the ways with India and tackle the great US challenges.
(Writer is Senior
Journalist and Former
Senior Associate Editor,
O Heraldo, Goa)