This week has been quite eventful in Canadian politics, and it appears that a snap election may be imminent.
Sources indicate that Prime Minister Mark Carney is likely to announce an election on Sunday, with April 28 being the most probable date.
I accompanied Mr. Carney for 48 hours as he traveled to Paris, London, and Iqaluit this past Sunday to Tuesday, as part of a select group of journalists covering his inaugural overseas trip as prime minister (travel expenses are covered by news organizations).
In this article, I will highlight observations regarding Mr. Carney’s evolving strategy in response to President Trump’s threats, which seems to differ in tone and approach from his predecessor. Navigating relations with Trump is likely to be one of the key issues during the election, and Carney’s strategy could provide insight into his potential policies if elected.
Ian Austen will return next week with our Canada Letter as we delve deeper into the election season.
[Read: ‘Most European Non-European Country’: Canada Turns to Allies as Trump Threatens]
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Mr. Carney has emphasized the importance of respect in his discussions about President Trump, indicating he may not engage if Trump continues to refer to him as “governor,” as he did with Justin Trudeau.
After assuming his party’s leadership on March 9, Carney stated he would not lift Canada’s retaliatory tariffs without the U.S. showing due respect.
No Rush
It appears that Mr. Carney is not rushing into negotiations with Trump; he believes a cautious and deliberate approach is necessary rather than hastily seeking concessions or deals.
As of this writing on Friday evening, Carney has not yet spoken to Trump since being sworn in as prime minister last week.
New Friends
Mr. Carney’s recent tour aimed to underscore his comfort on the global stage and connections with foreign leaders. Additionally, he is signaling a preference for collaboration with non-U.S. allies in his U.S. policy framework.
He announced in Iqaluit that Canada had chosen Australia to partner in developing over-the-surface radar for the Arctic, despite U.S. negotiations on similar technology stalling under Trump.
Canada Confident
Carney seeks to downplay Trump’s “51st state” threats while acknowledging their seriousness, calling the idea of a U.S. annexation of Canada “unthinkable.”
His aim is to instill confidence in Canada, emphasizing that the country does not require validation from others to affirm its sovereignty. Key quotes from Carney highlight this sentiment:
