Two European politicians, dressed in symbolically red and white, sent a message to Canada on social media last week by declaring “We have your back.”
It was also supported by King Charles, who had planted red maple trees on the Buckingham Palace grounds, wearing a Canadian medal during his prominent visit to naval warships.
Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Kearney arrived in Paris on Monday, the day after his 60th birthday, before heading to London. He wants solid support from his allies.
Canada, like Europe, is being targeted by shaking our tariffs, but it makes clear that Donald Trump wants to take over his north neighbor.
“We appreciate all the iconic gestures, but we need more public support,” a Canadian official told me in a voice highlighting the nervous mistrust that most Canadians share.
The official message from Ottawa regarding Kearney’s travels is naturally suited to the economists who led central banks in both Canada and the UK. A statement from his office said his visit “means strengthening two of our closest and longest-established economic and security partnerships.”
His itinerary is also full of great symbolism.
Carney made it clear in his first speech as prime minister on Friday. He welcomed the “wonders of the country built on the bedrock of three people: Indigenous people, French and British.”
Therefore, this whistletop tour has the third destination of Iqaluit, the northernmost Nunavut territory of Canada and the home capital of the Inuit people. The suspension emphasized that it would “reaffirm Canada’s Arctic security and sovereignty.”
The Arctic and the spectacular regions of the North account for 40% of the land mass of the second largest country in the world. Protecting it is a concern for Canada amidst increasingly increasing competition between global powers in the Arctic, depicted by the US, Russia, China and others. It’s all the Cold War Cold War.
And then there’s a personal twist. Kearney was born in the small town of Fort Smith in the northwest region next to Nunavut.
His schedule emphasizes that he needs to be a new skill – a quick study of retail politics. Federal elections that must be held by October are expected to be called soon. Kearney, just like bankers and financial bosses, must prove that he can, of course, engage voters in English and French.
And he needs proper political obligations. He secured 86% of the votes when his liberal party chose his liberal party to replace Justin Trudeau, who resigned as prime minister amid a rise in calls to resign from his party after a decade at the top of the decade.
However, Kearney doesn’t have a seat in Congress. He does not have a Canadian vote yet.
His liberals have just experienced a dramatic reversal, a “Trump uplift,” and Trudeau’s. The party, which appears to be losing and seems to be in a terrible state, is now tied to its major conservative rivals in the polls.
Seeing like a world leader and understanding the world of tariffs and trade will look great when you run for a high office amid the dark shadow of external threats.
“I think part of Mark Kearney’s trip to Europe is to show that at this very important moment he can speak internationally with other like-minded forces,” reflects the well-known Canadian historian Margaret Macmillan.
Back at home, voters decide if it matters or not.
Carney will certainly speak personally of Trump’s tactics with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer. They both have great pain in order to flatten the US president into public, pushing their cases behind closed doors.
Many will be watching to see how Trump is working on Mark Carney – he has recently called the former Canadian prime minister “Governor Trudeau.”
Canada’s new top talker is talking harshly.
A week ago, when Carney won the party’s leadership contest, he called ice hockey, Canada’s national sport. “Canadians are always ready whenever someone else drops their gloves,” declared Carney.
“Canada will definitely win.”
But everyone knows this is not a game. Kearney described this escalating trade war as “the greatest crisis of our life.” Over 80% of Canada’s exports cross the border to the United States.
And while there have been several reports that Canadians are flying the US flag, a recent poll by the Angus Reed Institute highlighted that 91% of Canadians refuse to become the 51st state.
On Friday, Ottawa’s icy cold weather hit a warm tone, highlighting how he and Trump share the background of their business, including real estate.
“The President is a successful businessman and deal maker. We are his biggest client in so many industries,” he said. “Clients look forward to respect and cooperation in a proper commercial way.”
Carney says he’s “looked forward to” talking to President Trump. But the fact that it becomes a call rather than a visit is a measure of this moment. Traditionally, the first foreign visit of a Canadian leader is to its closest neighbor and most trusted partner, the United States.
On Monday, Carney is expected to sit with King Charles, Canada’s head of state. The British monarch recently expressed his “deepest love” for Canada and is said to have already written a private letter to the new prime minister.
In his non-political role, showing love in public may be the limit of the King’s power. But he still sends a message to the President of the United States.
Ir Kiel describes Canada as “an alliance and very important ally.” But last week, UK Liberal Democrat Secretary Ed Davy called on him to show more public support for Canada in order to oppose the “shocking attacks” on its sovereignty.
This could be a week of old sayings of diplomacy and politics. “To be seen doing something and doing it.”
