New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Conservative opponent kicked off their election campaigns Sunday against the backdrop of a trade war and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.Carney announced there will be a five-week election campaign before the vote on April 28.President Trump claims that Canada isnt a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen, Carney said.RELATED STORY | At meeting with NATO chief, Trump doubles down on territorial foreign policy goals for Greenland and CanadaThe governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war. Trump has repeatedly said that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state and he acknowledged Friday that he has upended Canadian politics.Trumps almost daily attacks on Canadas sovereignty have infuriated Canadians and led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal poll numbers.We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's threats and unjustified trade actions and his threats to sovereignty, Carney said.The election campaign for 343 seats or districts in the House of Commons will last 37 days. Although other parties are running, the Liberals and the Conservatives are the only two that have a chance to form a government. The party that commands a majority in Parliament, either alone or with the support of another party, will form the next government and its leader will be prime minister.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Canada's Justin Trudeau will resign as the country's prime minister and Liberal Party leaderCarney replaced Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remained in power until the Liberal Party elected a new leader on March 9 following a leadership race by the governing party.The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged. But after decades of bilateral stability, the vote is now expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with Trump.Carney said the choice for Canadians is a Canadian Trump or a government that unites the country.Trump put 25% tariffs on Canadas steel and aluminum and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products as well as all of Americas trading partners on April 2.RELATED STORY | Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico are back on citing drug trafficking concernsPierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservatives, is Carneys main challenger. The party and Poilievre were heading for a huge victory in Canadas federal election this year until Trumps near-daily trade and annexation threats derailed them.Poilievre said he will stand up to Trump but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a conservative ally, said in an interview Poilievre would be very much in sync with the new direction in America.I will insist the president recognizes the independence and sovereignty of Canada. I will insist he stops tariffing our nation," Poilievre said as he launched his campaign.I know a lot of people are worried, angry and anxious. And with good reason as a result of the presidents unacceptable threats against our country."Carney still hasnt had a phone call with Trump and that might not happen now until after the election. Trump mocked Trudeau by calling him governor, but he has not yet mentioned Carneys name.Carney said there are certain conditions for a discussion with Trump.RELATED STORY | Who is Mark Carney, Canada's new prime minister?Mr. Trump must recognize that Canada is a sovereign country. He has to say that, he has to accept that, before we can have a discussion about a trade agreement, he said.Let's just say there is no meeting that has been planned.Carney, 60, was the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. In 2013, he became the first noncitizen of the United Kingdom to run the Bank of England helping to manage the impact of Brexit.Carney has moved the Liberal Party to the right, scrapping Trudeaus signature carbon tax and reversing a capital gains tax increase. He also announced a middle class tax cut on Sunday.Poilievre, 45, for years the partys go-to attack dog, is a career politician and firebrand populist who says he will put Canada first. He vowed to defund Canadas public broadcaster and he wont allow media onboard his campaign buses and planes. ...read more read less