By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-23 17:16:22 | Updated at 2025-04-04 19:09:43
1 week ago
New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Conservative opponent kicked off their election campaigns on Sunday against the backdrop of a trade war and annexation threats from US President Donald Trump.
Carney announced there will be a five-week election campaign before the vote on April 28.
The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war. Trump has repeatedly said Canada should become the 51st US state and he acknowledged on Friday that he has upended Canadian politics.
Trump’s almost daily attacks on Canada’s sovereignty have infuriated Canadians and led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal poll numbers.
The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war. Carney has said the government in a time of crisis needs a strong and clear mandate.
“The next election will be one of the most consequential in our lifetimes,” he posted on social media overnight.
