The Liberal Party has won Canada’s election on April 28, 2025, securing another term in power, as voters rallied against US President Donald Trump’s aggressive threats.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared victory early Tuesday, stating that his country would “never” give in to the United States. The campaign was dominated by Trump’s attacks, including heavy trade tariffs that rattled Canadian businesses.
“We are over the shock of the American betrayal but we should never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves. And above all, we have to take care of each other,” Carney said. He called out Trump for his threats, claiming, “America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. But these are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never ever happen.”
Carney, 60, led the Liberal Party to its fourth consecutive victory, but it’s unclear if he has won enough seats to govern without a coalition. The party is projected to fall short of the 172 seats needed for a majority.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre conceded defeat early Tuesday. In a tough night for the Conservatives, Poilievre is also set to lose the seat he’s held for nearly 20 years.
Since taking leadership of the Liberal Party after Justin Trudeau’s resignation in January, Carney has become the voice of defiance against Trump’s threats. Carney, a former central banker and expert in navigating financial crises, used Trump’s trade tariffs as a rallying cry to unite Canadians.
“President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us,” Carney said. He framed the election as a battle for Canada’s sovereignty, making it a referendum against the US president’s attempts to dominate Canadian trade.
Poilievre, who was once seen as the front-runner, also condemned Trump’s actions. He pledged that his party would work with Carney and others to “defend Canada’s interests” and “protect our sovereignty” from Trump’s tariffs and threats.
“We will always put Canada first as we stare down tariffs and other irresponsible threats from President Trump,” Poilievre said.
Carney has consistently argued that Canada must look beyond the US for its future. “We need to build things in this country again,” Carney said, vowing to create more jobs and reduce the country’s reliance on American trade. He has also sought closer ties with other global powers, making his first trip abroad as prime minister to meet with leaders in Europe.
The prime minister did not rule out future talks with Trump but made it clear that Canada would no longer be dependent on the US. “We have many, many other options than the US to build prosperity for all Canadians,” he said.
