OTTAWA - Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minister on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Rideau Hall, immediately confronting escalating tensions with the United States and promising swift action on domestic policies [1].

Carney, who assembled a streamlined cabinet of 24 ministers, identified the U.S. trade crisis as a top priority while emphasizing economic growth and affordability for Canadians. "One of the top issues, of course, is the crisis with respect to the United States, and the opportunity with respect to trade diversification," Carney stated in his first press conference [1][2].

The new government's immediate agenda includes eliminating the consumer carbon tax while maintaining industrial carbon pricing for large emitters. This change can be implemented through cabinet order without parliamentary approval [1].

Key cabinet appointments include François-Philippe Champagne as Finance Minister, Mélanie Joly continuing as Foreign Affairs Minister, and Chrystia Freeland moving to Transport Minister. The restructured cabinet notably excludes representation from Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Alberta [1][2].

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statements about making Canada the 51st state, Carney dismissed the notion as "crazy" while maintaining a diplomatic tone. "We respect the United States. We respect President Trump... We understand his agenda," he said [1].

International engagement will begin immediately, with Carney accepting invitations to visit Paris and London "in the coming days" to discuss trade and security matters. No immediate plans for a Washington visit were announced [2].

The new government is expected to face voters soon, with Carney indicating an election will occur before November 2025, ahead of the fixed election date in October [1].