Canada’s new Prime Minister, previously head of Canada and the UK’s central banks, has blasted Donald Trump and accused the US President of trying to wreck Canada’s way of life.

“In trade, as in hockey, Canada will win,” new PM Mark Carney said after being chosen to replace Justin Trudeau and winning 85.9% of votes among Liberal Party of Canada nominees.

“I know that these are dark days, dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust,” he said just after midday, New Zealand time.

Facing the spectre of Trump administration tariffs, Carney promised “to create new trading relationships with reliable partners”.

He added: “The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country.”

Carney was the Bank of Canada’s Governor from 2008 to 2013, and Bank of England Governor from 2013 to 2020.

“I do care about the economy but it’s not because I’m an economist. It’s because I care about people. That’s why I’m a Liberal,” he told a party crowd in Ottawa.

Carney, aged 59, said Trump had imposed unjustified tariffs.

“He’s attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses. And we cannot let him succeed.”

Trump late last week delayed the installation of some tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico.

Carney also mentioned domestic economic policies.

“I am a pragmatist above all ... My Government will eliminate eliminate the divisive consumer carbon tax.”

The tax increased the costs of burning polluting fossil fuels and encouraged cleaner alternatives.

US President Donald Trump and then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met in the Oval Office in 2017. Photo / AFP

During his campaign, Carney said he’d replace the tax with a system of incentives to reward Canadians for making greener choices, such as purchasing an energy efficient appliance, electric vehicle, or improved home insulation.

Carney also addressed a type of tax often discussed in New Zealand.

“And we will stop the hike in the capital gains tax. We think builders should be incentivised for taking risks, and rewarded when they succeed.”

Carney added said he would pursue policies of fiscal responsibility and social justice.

Mark Carney has taken over from Justin Trudeau. Here he's seen taking the stage during election night, moments before the announcement of results, at Rogers Centre, in Ottawa. Photo / Artur Widak, NurPhoto

“I will work day and night with one purpose, which is to build a stronger Canada for everyone. But I will need help. I will need a lot of help,” he said after winning at the Liberal Leadership Event.

“We’re all being called to stand up for each other and for the Canadian way of life. So let me ask you: Who’s ready? Who’s ready to stand up for Canada with me?”

Westpac economist Darren Gibbs said Carney should be able to grasp the economic challenges facing Canada.

‘He’s very highly thought-of, he’s very smart, very articulate.

“He’s probably a good person to be leading Canada at this point - there’s a lot of economics to be understood.”

Gibbs said although Carney was a relative newcomer to politics, “central bank governors still operate in political worlds”.

He said some of Carney’s monetary policy positions appeared to be centrist and orthodox, rather than left-wing.

He said the new PM seemed unlikely to back down for Trump.

“There could be interesting conversations ahead.”