New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Conservative opponent have kicked off their election campaigns against the backdrop of a trade war and annexation threats from U.S.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called Sunday for a snap election to be held in April, in which Canadian voters will elect either him or his rival in the Conservative Party, saying he wants a strong mandate as the country faces a “significant threat” from President Donald Trump and his administration’s tariff war with Canada.