Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney illustrated his approach to Europe during his trip this week to the Old Continent, while his compatriots increasingly embrace the idea of joining the European Union (EU), an idea that not long ago seemed an aberration just to consider.
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The world according to Donald Trump caused a radical shift in Canadians’ sentiment. Both the trade war unleashed by the U.S. president, who is Canada’s largest trading partner (accounting for 70% to 75% of its exports), and the rhetorical war of Trump’s imperial dream to turn the northern neighbor into the 51st state of the U.S., caused feelings of detachment and rejection.
Amid the overall decline in tourism in New York, the mass absence of Canadians illustrates this newfound animosity.
Carney attended a meeting of the European Political Community in Yerevan (Armenia) from May 2 to 4, making Canada the first non-European country to participate in a meeting of that organization.
His presence certifies that the prime minister is determined to build a new network of trade and diplomatic alliances after losing U.S. markets. His visit also represented a show of Western support for Armenia, fully aligned with Europeans, in their efforts to distance themselves from Russia, at a time when Washington’s approach to Moscow’s opponents, such as Ukraine, is at best ambiguous.
In his speech at that meeting, Carney stated that Europe will not submit to a more brutal world and, instead, can be the base from which a new international order is rebuilt.
“We do not believe we are destined to submit to a more transactional and isolated world, and gatherings like these point to a better way forward,” he emphasized. In an obvious hint that the era of U.S. leadership might be nearing its end, and specifying the symbolism of Canada’s participation in a European political meeting, the prime minister said, “It is my firm personal opinion that the international order will be rebuilt, but it will be rebuilt from Europe.”
Meanwhile, although Canadian diplomats reject suggestions that Ottawa might seek EU membership, a survey by the Nanos Research institute, published last month, found that nearly 60% of Canadians (almost three out of five) would agree to joining the European Union. In contrast, about 32% expressed opposition or some opposition.
“Canadians are reevaluating their place in the world,” emphasized Nik Nanos, public opinion analyst. “While Canadians still value free trade with the U.S., they want to have closer relations with the EU,” he added. The survey also highlighted that 84% of Canadians believe strengthening economic ties is the most viable way to advance relations between Canada and Europeans.
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