Liberal Leader Mark Carney will officially become Canada's next prime minister within a few hours, taking the reins as the country barrels toward a general election and continues to fend off verbal and economic attacks from U.

Mark Carney, an economist and political newcomer, has been sworn in as Canada's new prime minister and delivered a speech vowing to "never" become a part of the United States. He takes office on Friday just days after being elected leader of the governing Liberal Party and amid an ongoing trade war with US President Donald Trump.