Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney faced scrutiny in Parliament on Tuesday over his approach to handling relations with President Donald Trump, stating that dealing with the United States is currently far from typical. Carney returned to Ottawa following his well-received speech at the recent World Economic Forum, where he highlighted a shift in the rules-based international order led by Washington, describing it as a significant disruption.
His speech, which also warned middle powers against relying solely on compliance to avoid major power conflicts, garnered praise from various political parties in Canada. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, known for his combative stance, commended the speech as “well-crafted and eloquently delivered.” Similarly, Yves-Francois Blanchet from the Bloc Quebecois described it as “reassuring and promising.”
However, as Parliament commenced a new legislative session, Blanchet criticized Carney’s handling of the US relationship, emphasizing that speeches alone do not generate economic benefits or job security. He pointed out the lack of progress in resolving Trump’s sectoral tariffs affecting Canada’s economy and questioned the nature of negotiations with the United States.
In response, Carney acknowledged the changing dynamics, stating that the current situation in the United States is far from normal, emphasizing the complexities of the evolving political landscape in Washington.