Mark Carney is a newcomer to elected politics, with decades of experience in finance. After his landslide victory, he pledged to continue tariffs on the U.S. "until the Americans show us respect."

Carney, a political novice, will take over at a tumultuous time in Canada, which is in the midst of a trade war with longtime ally the United States and must hold a general election soon.

Carney, 59, will take the reins of his country at a time when it is locked in a trade war with the U.S., its largest trade partner.