Canada's ruling Liberal Party leader Mark Carney was sworn in as the 24th prime minister of the country and appointed a new cabinet on Friday. The 24-member transition cabinet includes the main players who held portfolios central to managing Canada-U.S. relationship. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stays where she is, while former Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc retains the Canada-U.S. file as Carney's new international trade minister. Former Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne was promoted as finance minister. At a press conference following the swearing-in ceremony, Carney outlined the government's top priorities which are safeguarding Canadian workers and strengthening the national economy, especially in light of ongoing trade tensions and tariff threats from the United States. "Our leaner cabinet will focus on two priorities in particular: First, protecting Canadian workers and their families in the face of unjustified foreign trade actions. And second, growing this great country by putting more money in Canadians' pockets, by ensuring the government spends less so Canada can invest more," Carney said. He also announced potential visits to the United Kingdom and France next week, with no plan to visit the United States. "I received the questions on a trip to Paris and London in a few days. I received an invitation from the president of France to discuss a variety of issues, both economic, commercial, to reinforce those relationships, also issues related to security in Europe, in Canada. Similar discussions will be had with the prime minister in the United Kingdom. I don't have plans to go to the United States. I look forward to speaking to him at an appropriate moment," he said. Addressing U.S. President Donald Trump's previous remarks about making Canada the "51st U.S. state," Carney said Canada will "never in anyway, shape or form be part of the United States." After decisively winning the Liberal leadership last Sunday, Carney took the reins from Justin Trudeau who officially tendered his resignation to Governor General Mary Simon before Carney's swearing-in ceremony. SHOTLIST: Ottawa, Canada - March 14, 2025 1. Mark Carney speaking to media after swearing-in ceremony; 2. Reporters, camera crew; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister: "Our leaner cabinet will focus on two priorities in particular: First, protecting Canadian workers and their families in the face of unjustified foreign trade actions. And second, growing this great country by putting more money in Canadians pockets, by ensuring the government spends less so Canada can invest more."; 4. National flag of Canada; Carney speaking; 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister (partially overlaid with shot 6): "I received the questions on a trip to Paris and London. In a few days I received an invitation from the president of France to discuss a variety of issues, both economic, commercial, to reinforce those relationships, also issues related to security in Europe, in Canada. Similar discussions will be had with the prime minister in the United Kingdom. I don't have plans to go to the United States. I look forward to speaking to him at an appropriate moment."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 6. Press conference; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 7. Press conference; FILE: Ottawa, Canada - Feb 2, 2025 8. Various of Canadian national flag, Parliament buildings; FILE: Windsor, Canada - Jan 30, 2025 9. Various of bridge, traffic, flags; sign reading "Bridge to U.S.A." 10. Pedestrians; 11. Canadian national flag, traffic. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]