Newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a snap general election amid ongoing trade tensions with the US, with Donald Trump’s threats of potentially incorporating Canada as part of America.

Mr Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England, declared that there would be a campaign for five weeks, concluding with a vote on April 28.

Initially, Mr Carney’s Liberal party seemed to be heading towards a significant defeat this year. However, the trade conflict has shifted this narrative.

Donald Trump has repeatedly implied that Canada should become the 51st state of the US, and has imposed tariffs on exports to the USA.

These constant attacks on Canadian sovereignty have enraged the population and bolstered the support for the Liberals.

“Facing the biggest crisis of our lifetime due to President Trump’s unwarranted trade actions and sovereignty threats,” Mr Carney said on Sunday, outside the building where he requested Canada’s Governor-General to dissolve parliament.

“We must build a stronger economy and a more secure Canada in response.

“Despite claiming that Canada is not a real country, President Trump desires to disintegrate Canada so that America can claim it.

“We won’t let that happen. We are past the shock of betrayal but we must never forget the lessons.

“We must fend for ourselves and for one another.”

Mr Carney led the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. In 2013, he became the first non-UK citizen to helm the Bank of England, helping steer the nation through the impacts of Brexit.

Earlier in the month, he succeeded Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister of Canada. Mr Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January, faced mounting criticism when he lost support before Mr Trump took office.

The election campaign spanning 343 seats or districts in the House of Commons will last 37 days. The two parties with a realistic chance of forming the government, among other contenders, are the Liberals and the Conservatives.