Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney may have more experience in banking than in politics, but he has shown a confident touch in standing up to U.S. President Donald Trump and managing a trade war that threatens his nation's economy.
"We are masters in our own house," the prime minister said on Saturday, just hours after breaking off trade talks with the United States and ordering his negotiators back to Ottawa.
Despite the risks this decision poses to Canada, which is heavily dependent on exports to the U.S., Carney can boast of broad support, with 76% of the public praising his stance toward Washington, according to a weekend poll.
"Mark Carney has the means to achieve his ambitions because the country is behind him," says Genevieve Tellier, a professor of political science at the University of Ottawa.
After Washington slapped Canada with 50% duties, Canada Tuesday announced counter-tariffs of its own.
