Another eventful week in Canadian politics is coming to a close, with signs pointing towards a snap-election call.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce the election on Sunday, with April 28 being the most likely date, according to our sources.
I had the opportunity to travel with Mr. Carney to Paris, London, and Iqaluit for 48 hours, from Sunday to Tuesday, as part of a small group of journalists covering his first overseas trip as prime minister (with news organizations covering travel expenses).
Today, I’ll be sharing some insights on Mr. Carney’s approach to handling President Trump’s threats, which seems to be distinct from that of his predecessor. Dealing with Mr. Trump is expected to be a crucial issue in the upcoming election, and Mr. Carney’s evolving strategy provides valuable insights into his potential actions if elected.
Ian Austen will return next week with our Canada Letter, delving deeper into the election season.
[Read: ‘Most European Non-European Country’: Canada Turns to Allies as Trump Threatens]
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Respect is a central theme in Mr. Carney’s approach to addressing President Trump, indicating that he will not engage if Mr. Trump continues to refer to him as “governor,” as he did with Justin Trudeau.
Upon assuming his party’s leadership on March 9, Mr. Carney stated that he would only lift Canada’s retaliatory tariffs if the United States showed respect to his country.
During his whirlwind tour of Europe this week, he reiterated this message.
In London, at a press conference at the Canada High Commission, he criticized U.S. leadership, stating, “They’re disrespectful, they’re not helpful, and they need to stop before we can engage in a conversation about our broader partnership.”
No rush
It appears that Mr. Carney is in no rush to engage in discussions with Mr. Trump, opting for a slow, cautious approach rather than hastily seeking to ease tariffs or strike a deal under pressure.
Notably, as of Friday evening, he had not yet spoken with Mr. Trump since being sworn in as prime minister last week.
During our stop in Iqaluit, I asked Mr. Carney if he was changing his approach towards Mr. Trump. He responded, “I’m less interested in reacting to every proposal. We want to have a broader conversation. It will take time. There’s no single meeting that will resolve everything.”
He added, “Trade issues need to be addressed comprehensively, and Canada will approach them from a position of strength.”
Dollar for dollar
Mr. Carney also hinted at the limitations of the dollar-for-dollar retaliatory strategy against U.S. tariffs, suggesting that while he would maintain the measures implemented by Mr. Trudeau, he may not be eager to escalate them.
New friends
Mr. Carney’s recent tour aimed to showcase his comfort on the global stage and his positive relationships with foreign leaders. Additionally, he took steps this week to emphasize partnering with non-U.S. powers in his U.S. policy.
During his stop in Iqaluit, he announced that Australia had been selected as a partner to develop an over-the-surface radar for the Arctic. This deal was finalized before a similar one with the United States, indicating a shift in alliances under Mr. Carney’s leadership.
Furthermore, Canada is poised to become a key partner in the EU’s new military industrial initiative, positioning the country to gain preferential access to European defense contracts. This move reflects a desire among U.S. allies to reduce reliance on American military equipment.
Mr. Carney discussed these developments with European leaders, highlighting his commitment to fostering these new partnerships.
Canada confident
Mr. Carney has expressed a desire to shift the focus away from Mr. Trump’s “51st state” threats, asserting that the idea of U.S. annexation of Canada is “unthinkable.” Instead, he emphasizes Canada’s strength and sovereignty, urging the nation to be confident in its own capabilities.
Key quotes on this theme include:
“We don’t need validation from another country. We are sovereign and proud.” (London, March 17).
“We can stand up for ourselves. Canada is strong.” (London, March 17).
“We can provide for ourselves more than any trade partner can take away.” (Iqaluit, March 18).
As Canadians avoid travel to the United States, popular destinations like Myrtle Beach, S.C., see a shift in visitor patterns.
Authorities in Hamilton, Ontario, are investigating vandalism at a Tesla dealership, following similar incidents targeting the carmaker in the United States.
Canadian officials reported that the Delta Air Lines plane that crashed in Toronto last month was descending at a high speed before landing.
The research of Dr. Shoo Lee, a prominent neonatologist in Canada, played a role in convicting a British nurse of murder.
Lee mengatakan bahwa karyanya seharusnya tidak pernah dikutip dalam kasus tersebut.
Doug Ford, perdana menteri Ontario, telah muncul sebagai salah satu pembela terkuat negara tersebut terhadap Mr. Trump. Hal itu membuatnya dijuluki “Kapten Kanada.”
Mélanie Joly, menteri luar negeri Kanada, mengatakan China telah mengeksekusi empat warga Kanada di negara tersebut atas tuduhan narkoba.
Matina Stevis-Gridneff adalah kepala biro Kanada untuk The Times, memimpin liputan negara tersebut. Lebih lanjut tentang Matina Stevis-Gridneff
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