Prime Minister Mark Carney returned home on Wednesday (August 21) after concluding his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, without meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Carney delivered a major speech, specifically naming but directly criticizing the US president for undermining the rules-based international order. Mark Carney’s office stated at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Time that there were no scheduled meetings between Carney and Trump on Wednesday. Carney departed Davos for Zurich at approximately 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday and will then travel from Zurich back to Ottawa; Trump arrived in Switzerland early Wednesday morning.
Despite earlier delays on Air Force One due to power issues, Trump arrived as planned and attended the Davos Forum, where he began his speech at approximately 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. Trump arrives in Switzerland to deliver a speech; Greenland plan causes market turmoil; gold prices hit record high.
In his speech on Tuesday, Carney told global political and business leaders, “The old international order is not coming back.” He emphasized that Canada “strongly opposes” using tariffs as a means of coercing Europe to make concessions in Greenland and warned that the world is during a “rupture” in the international order.
“Middle powers must work together, because if you’re not at the table, you’ll be on the menu,” Carney said. He called on middle powers to stop pretending the rules-based international system still works and instead form alliances to combat a new era of large-scale plundering of smaller nations and the arbitrariness of power.
Carney also urged countries to begin publicly condemning economic coercion, even from allies—a move widely seen as a clear indication of a move against the United States. His speech was met with a standing ovation.
These remarks came days after Trump made a rare threat, stating that Washington would impose tariffs on Greenland if European allies and the UK did not allow the US to acquire it for strategic purposes. Trump: Europe is on the wrong track; the US return Greenland after WWII was foolish, but he emphasized he has no intention of using force.
After concluding his trip to the forum, Carney will travel to Quebec City for a cabinet retreat, rather than remaining in Davos. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu explained to reporters that the government decided not to stay and had not scheduled a meeting with Trump.
“Parliament will reconvene next Monday, and we also have a cabinet retreat; there are many things that need to be addressed for Canadians,” he emphasized. “What we hoped to accomplish in Davos, we have accomplished.”
When asked why Carney didn’t stay in Davos to meet with Trump, Sidu responded that the government’s current focus is on diversifying trade markets. Canada and the US are preparing to review the Canada-Mexico-Canada Agreement (CMCA), with the US expected to request renegotiation of certain chapters; meanwhile, several high tariffs continue to impact Canadian industries such as steel and automobiles.
Carney is also a frequent guest at the World Economic Forum, having attended approximately 30 times, according to his office. Following last week’s efforts to mend tensions with China, Carney also plans to visit India soon to repair bilateral relations. Sidu stated that negotiations for a Canada-India free trade agreement will begin in February.
“India’s annual growth rate is around 7%, they need food and energy, which we can provide,” Sidu said. He added that the United States remains crucial to Canada, “Our geographical location will not change,” but emphasized that Canada is looking globally, “China is our second-largest trading partner, India will become the third-largest economy, and we are looking for opportunities globally.”
Regarding why Canada is trying to improve relations with India, Sidu reiterated Carney’s position: “We must accept the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. Ultimately, we must find opportunities for Canadians.”