The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced on Sunday a call for early general elections to be held on April 28, confirming that Canada needs a “strong mandate” to face the increasing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who he said “wants to break Canada so that America can control it.”

Escalating Tensions in Canadian-American Relations

This call reflects the severe deterioration in relations between Canada and the United States, two traditional allies and major trading partners. Tensions have escalated between the two countries since Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian products and threatened to annex Canada to the United States, which the Canadian government deemed a direct threat to its economic and political sovereignty.

Carney stated at a press conference following the approval of the Governor General, the official representative of King Charles in Canada, to dissolve Parliament and hold elections: “We are facing the largest crisis in our history due to the unjustified trade actions taken by President Trump and his public threats to our sovereignty. Our response must be to build a strong economy and enhance our domestic security.”

He added: “President Trump claims that Canada is not a legitimate country. He seeks to break us so that America can control us. We will not allow that.”

A Shift in Carney’s Tone

Although Carney had previously expressed his readiness to work with Trump, his recent statements represent a significant shift in his political rhetoric. During his swearing-in on March 14, Carney emphasized his respect for Trump and his willingness to cooperate with him. However, Trump’s escalation in trade policy towards Canada has pushed Carney to take a firmer stance, making the challenge to these threats a key focus of his electoral strategy.

A Bet on Political Recovery

The federal general elections were originally scheduled for October 20, but Carney decided to move them forward, relying on the improved popularity of his Liberal party in opinion polls since the beginning of the year. This improvement is attributed to the trade tensions with the United States, which sparked a wave of public sympathy for the Canadian government.

Carney hopes that voters will grant him a strong mandate to confront the trade policies and political pressures from the Trump administration. These elections are widely seen as a referendum on Carney's ability to protect Canadian sovereignty against American dominance.

A Difficult Path for Carney in Leading the Liberal Party

Carney won the leadership of the Liberal Party just two weeks ago, after successfully convincing party members that he is the most suitable figure to deal with Trump’s escalation. This is his first political experience, as he has never previously run for office or held a political position. However, his professional record as a former governor of both the Canadian and British central banks has bolstered his standing among party members, who see him as someone capable of addressing economic challenges and external pressures.

A Heated Electoral Face-Off

This election represents a tough test for Carney amid strong competition from the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre, who focuses his campaign on domestic economic issues. At the same time, Carney seeks to present himself as a leader capable of defending Canada on the international stage and enhancing its position in the face of American pressures.

The Future of Relations with the United States at Stake

With the intensifying rhetoric between Carney and Trump, these elections are expected to be decisive in determining the future of Canadian-American relations. If Carney secures a strong public mandate, he is likely to adopt a tougher stance in trade and political negotiations with Washington.

Carney concluded his statement by saying: “Canadians are facing a historic moment. We need strong leadership and a clear vision for Canada’s future. We will not allow any foreign power to dictate our destiny.”