A tearful Justin Trudeau delivered his final address as Canadian Prime Minister, taking a parting shot at US President Donald Trump during a Liberal party conference on Sunday. Trudeau, who was compelled to resign after numerous cabinet resignations in late 2024, was observed wiping tears during his speech.
The 53-year-old is succeeded by Mark Carney, former Bank of England governor, who secured his party’s leadership and continued the confrontational stance with the US by criticising the Republican leader’s actions against Canadian interests.
Addressing the crowd, Trudeau stated: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m damn proud of what we’ve done over these past 10 years. But tonight is about our future as a party, as a country.”
On Trump’s threatened economic sanctions, the departing PM asserted that Canada is ‘a country who will fight when we must, elbows up.’ He emphasised that Canadians are demonstrating their identity by ‘proudly embracing who we are’ despite significant challenges.
He urged Liberal Party members: “Your country needs you maybe more than ever. And I have no doubt that you will answer the call, because you’ve done it before. Liberals will meet this moment.” He highlighted the current period as ‘nation-defining’, stating: “Democracy is not a given, freedom is not a given, even Canada is not a given.” These achievements require ongoing effort, courage, sacrifice, hope and dedication, he noted.
Meanwhile, Carney’s inaugural speech after replacing Trudeau accused Trump of attempting to dominate Canada forcefully. He declared: “The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country.” Carney further stated that Trump is “attacking Canadian workers, families, and businesses. We cannot let him succeed.” The former central banker expressed pride in Canadians’ resistance to Trump.
“I’m proud of the voices of Canadians who are making their voices heard and their wallets felt,” he declared to applauding supporters. “Our provinces are stepping up to the fight. When we are united, we are Canada strong. The Canadian government has rightly retaliated. My government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect.” Previously uncertain about Carney’s approach towards Canada’s closest neighbour, he had stated: “We have made this the greatest country in the world and now our neighbours want to take us. No way.” Before naming his successor, Trudeau announced 25 percent tariffs on $155 billion of American goods, starting with $30 billion immediately.
The 59-year-old Carney secured 86% of votes against Chrystia Freeland in a contest involving nearly 152,000 party members. As a political newcomer, he argued his experience leading two G7 central banks uniquely qualified him to manage trade negotiations with Trump, who threatens additional tariffs that could severely impact Canada’s economy.
The prospect of Liberal Party renewal under Carney, combined with Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats, has revitalised Liberal support. Trump maintains that trade imbalances justify additional tariffs, warning Trudeau of reciprocal measures.
Trump asserted during a cabinet meeting: “We subsidize them $200 billion a year. Without us, Canada can’t make it. You know, Canada relies on us 95 percent. We rely on them 4 percent. Big difference.”
Trump suggested Canadian statehood as a solution to tariffs. “I say Canada should be our 51st state. There’s no tariffs, no nothing,” he stated recently.
Trump argues that Canada should increase tariff payments since the US provides military protection. “We protect Canada. But it’s not fair. It’s not fair that they’re not paying their way. And if they had to pay their way, they couldn’t exist,” he claimed.