Victor EzejaIn a surprising move, the United States President, Donald Trump, has congratulated Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, on his victory in the country’s general election, held on Monday.
The 2025 Canadian federal election was held on Monday, 28 April 2025, to elect members of the House of Commons to the 45th Canadian Parliament.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelCarney’s Liberal Party won most seats in the election, followed by the Conservative Party.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, Trump called Carney and congratulated him on his victory, and the two leaders agreed to meet in the near future.
Their meeting is expected to focus on addressing their economic and security ties.
According to the statement, the two leaders discussed and agreed on the need for Canada and the United States to work together as “as independent, sovereign nations for their mutual betterment.”
Narratives around Canada’s election were dominated by Trump’s trade tariffs and frequent remarks that threatened Canada’s sovereignty, and Carney’s Liberals were predicted to win a minority government.
READ ALSO: Canada’s Liberals Defy Odds As Mark Carney Leads Party To Victory
Since Trump’s re-election to the White House, he has repeatedly stated his intention of annexing Canada to become the “51st state” of America.
This comment didn’t go down well with the leaders and citizens of Canada and caused a strain in the relationship between the two countries. It was said to have triggered a new wave of patriotism/nationalism in Canada, leading to what was described as “anti-Trump” sentiment in the election.
Earlier predictions pointed towards a possible win by the Conservatives, expected to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose approval ratings dropped to 20 per cent in his final months in office. However, Carney’s Liberal Party cashed in on Trump’s rhetoric and framed the election as a battle for Canada’s independence, making the citizens resolve to defend the country’s interests.
The Liberals won 168 seats, which is four seats short of the 172 needed for a majority in Canada’s House of Commons. The Conservative Party came second, winning 144 seats, with its leader, Pierre Poilievre, losing his seat in Carleton, Ontario, to a Liberal candidate. He has since conceded defeat.
Carney had in an interview with the BBC said making Canada the 51st state in America will never happen.
Trump imposed a blanket 25 per cent tariff on various Canadian goods, along with 25 per cent import taxes on all aluminium and steel imports, but has exempted products covered by a US, Canada, and Mexico trade deal known as USMCA.
READ ALSO: Mark Carney: A New Era For Canada Or A Familiar Challenge?
Canada has responded, slamming some C$60 billion ($42bn) worth of tariffs on US goods.
The Canadian PM said talks with Trump would be “on our terms, not on their terms”.
“We deserve respect. We expect respect, and I’m sure we’ll get it in due course again, and then we can have these discussions,” Carney told the BBC.
Carney, a former central banker for Canada and Britain, will remain as prime minister after taking over last month following the resignation of his unpopular predecessor, Justin Trudeau.
Enacting legislation to assist workers and industries impacted by U.S. tariffs is one issue that the Liberals may find it easy to win support for in the House. During the campaign, all parties supported this measure.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
