Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, where he will meet US President Donald Trump amidst global disruption and a looming trade war. Carney recently delivered a speech declaring US global predominance "a thing of the past," signaling a "harder-nosed" Canadian foreign policy focused on a "Big Hedge" against US influence. This involves expanding the military, building domestic defence and strategic industries, and aggressively courting relationships with other countries, including a defence-industry partnership with the EU. The summit agenda is trimmed to avoid conflict, but tensions over Ukraine and Israel's strikes on Iran are expected.
Opinion: Carney sets out foreign policy shift as G7 convenes under the shadow of Trump’s trade war
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, where he will meet US President Donald Trump amidst global disruption and a looming trade war. Carney recently delivered a speech declaring US global predominance "a thing of the past," signaling a "harder-nosed" Canadian foreign policy focused on a "Big Hedge" against US influence. This involves expanding the military, building domestic defence and strategic industries, and aggressively courting relationships with other countries, including a defence-industry partnership with the EU. The summit agenda is trimmed to avoid conflict, but tensions over Ukraine and Israel's strikes on Iran are expected.
Trending- 1 2018: Last G7 summit in Canada (Charlevoix), Trump left early and tweeted angrily.
- 2 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- 3 March (current year): Nanos Research poll found 75% of Canadians in favour of more defence spending.
- 4 Monday (current week): Mark Carney gave his foreign and defence policy speech.
- 5 Friday (current week): Israel launched strikes on Iran (impacting G7 discussions).
- 6 This weekend: G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
- 7 Next week: Canada-European Union summit and NATO summit (The Hague, June 24).
- Shift in Canadian foreign policy
- Increased defence spending
- Potential for new trade and security alliances
- Challenges in managing relations with unpredictable US President
- Potential for G7 disagreements on Ukraine
- Increased public awareness of global risks
What: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined a significant shift in Canada's foreign and defence policy, emphasizing a "Big Hedge" against US influence, ahead of hosting the G7 summit.
When: Monday (Carney's speech); this weekend (G7 summit); Friday (Israel strikes Iran); a week (Canada-EU summit, NATO summit); 2018 (last G7 in Canada); 2022 (Russian invasion of Ukraine); March (Nanos Research poll).
Where: Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada (G7 summit location); Europe (Canada-EU summit, NATO summit); Ukraine, Gaza, East Asia (global conflicts); Washington (US support); Saudi Arabia, India (invited leaders).
Why: In response to the US withdrawing from its global role, "monetizing its hegemony" (tariffs, security umbrella threats), and a general period of global disruption and rising threats from hostile powers and rogue actors. Canada aims to protect its sovereignty, security, and prosperity.
How: By increasing defence spending ($9.3 billion announced, potential for more), building domestic defence and strategic industries (e.g., critical minerals), diversifying trade, and aggressively courting relationships with other countries (e.g., EU defence partnership). The G7 agenda is trimmed to narrow topics to manage unpredictability.