Carney Seeks Partnerships with Like-Minded Nations During UK Visit
Prime Minister Mark Carney is currently in London meeting with leaders from the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, and Iceland to discuss trade, business, and security partnerships. The trip aims to reduce Canada's reliance on the United States and build stronger international ties.
Meetings and Discussions
Carney participated in the Global Progress Action Summit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir. The panel focused on strategies for centre-left parties to compete with rising right-wing populism. Discussions also involved Canada supporting the UK in becoming a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Senior government officials emphasized the importance of face-to-face meetings to strengthen partnerships. Ralph Goodale, Canada’s High Commissioner to the U.K., stated these meetings lay the groundwork for closer economic and security ties. Carney has met with Starmer four times since taking office and this marks his first in-person meetings with the Australian, Icelandic, and Spanish leaders.
A scheduled meeting with the Danish Prime Minister was cancelled following reports of drone activity over Danish airports, raising security concerns amidst recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace.
Trade and Economic Strategy
Carney emphasized the need for "like-minded" countries to collaborate in response to economic and geopolitical challenges. He argued that countries must be "masters in our own home" and avoid over-reliance on single trading partners, such as the U.S.. He said Canada needs to focus on diversification and building relationships with countries that share values and a commitment to open markets.
“We have learned the lesson that we … need to be masters in our own home. We can’t be over-reliant on one trading partner. We can address it by building at home and diversifying,” Carney said.
While in New York, Carney noted that Canada is a founding member of the CPTPP and has a free-trade agreement with the European Union. Vina Nadjibulla, Asia Pacific Foundation vice-president, sees trade collaboration as positive, noting it demonstrates Canada's ability to unite Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic partners.
Bilateral Trade with the UK
Canada and the U.K. currently lack a bilateral trade deal, relying on an interim agreement from April 2021. Negotiations for a permanent deal were suspended in January 2024 due to disagreements over hormone-treated beef and cheese exports. Goodale believes there is a "landing zone" for renewed talks, emphasizing that most goods traded between the countries are tariff-free.
Beyond trade, Carney and Starmer discussed the recent recognition of Palestinian statehood, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine. Nadjibulla suggested that Canada, the U.K., and Australia are seeking deeper collaboration in response to instability stemming from Washington, D.C.
Criticism and Justification
The Conservative Party has criticized Carney’s international trips, stating they have not produced concrete results for Canada. Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus questioned the value of these trips, emphasizing, "He travels a lot and unfortunately with no results."
Carney has also been criticized for leaving a recent trip to Mexico empty-handed and for his government's handling of the firearms buyback program. However, supporters argue that these international engagements are essential for advancing Canada's interests and building crucial global partnerships. Carney stated that "We are building our strength at home, diversifying our partnerships abroad and creating a web of strong global connections."
Canada's Role in the World
Carney aims to position Canada as a bridge between democracies and allies in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, both on the security and economic fronts. He also emphasized the importance of Canada supporting Ukraine and working towards a Palestinian state.
