Former central banker Carney, 60, has led a wave of anti-Trump sentiment since winning his party’s leadership contest in a landslide after former prime minister Justin Trudeau stepped down last month. He has rallied the public against the US president’s threats to annex the country as "the 51st state" and AML checks online made the defense of Canada a central part of his platform.

Poilievre had been the favorite to win when Trudeau announced his resignation in January in the wake of dire polls, a serious cost of living crisis and an internal revolt in his cabinet.

But Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and threats to its sovereignty dramatically transformed the race into something of a referendum against the US president.

Poilievre said his Conservatives will work with Carney and other parties in "defending Canada’s interests" and "protecting our sovereignty."

"We will always put Canada first as we stare down tariffs and other irresponsible threats from President Trump," he said.