JOHN Swinney has said that "Scotland is ready to stand alongside Canada" as he congratulated Mark Carney on his victory in the country's election.
The Canadian prime minister and former Bank of England governor’s Liberal Party won the election after a surge in its fortunes fuelled by resistance to US president Donald Trump’s economic pressure and threats to annex the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, Swinney said: “Congratulations to Mark Carney and his Liberal Party on their election victory.
“Scotland and Canada share deep ties of friendship, values, and co-operation – I look forward to building on that strong relationship in the years ahead.
“Solutions to the world’s many challenges will require international partners who are willing to demonstrate leadership and to work together. Scotland is ready to stand alongside Canada with an appreciation for the value of democracy, respect, and mutually beneficial trade.
At the start of the year the centre-right Conservatives had opinion poll leads in excess of 20 points, but the resignation of prime minister and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, Trump’s ongoing trade war with Canada and his threats to annex the country have triggered a dramatic change.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st US state – a prospect that is deeply unpopular among Canadians.
The US president also declared a 25% tariff on imports from Canada, leading many Canadians to refuse to buy American goods and to cancel US vacations.
In his victory speech in Ottawa, Carney referenced threats made by Trump as he said: "President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never – that will never, ever happen.
“We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons."
