Prime Minister Mark Carney has declared that the international community can achieve meaningful progress on global issues without United States participation, following a successful Group of 20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg that proceeded despite an American boycott.
G20 Consensus Reached Despite U.S. Absence
The weekend gathering at Johannesburg's Nasrec Expo Centre saw participating nations representing three-quarters of the world's population, two-thirds of global GDP, and three-quarters of global trade reach agreement on key matters, even without formal U.S. attendance. Carney emphasized that this demonstrates the shifting center of gravity in the global economy.
South Africa, serving as this year's G20 host, defied Washington's position by releasing a full declaration from the meeting. The Trump administration had argued that only a chairman's summary should be issued following their boycott, which was ordered after the president repeated a widely debunked claim about White Afrikaner farmers in South Africa facing genocide.
Canada's Strategic Global Repositioning
Since taking office earlier this year, Carney has pursued an economic strategy focused on reducing Canada's traditional reliance on the United States. His campaign prominently pushed back against Trump's imposition of tariffs on Canada and suggestions that the country could become U.S. territory.
At a Sunday press conference in Johannesburg, Carney detailed his government's efforts to strengthen international partnerships across multiple continents. "We're signing new deals and finding new investors to fuel our plans for Canada's economic ambition," Carney stated. "We'll expand trade and catalyze investment in increased partnerships across a range of areas from AI to energy in the Indo-Pacific and Europe."
Major Investment and Diplomatic Breakthroughs
Carney revealed a landmark $70 billion investment commitment from the United Arab Emirates, following his November 20 meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi. This represents the largest investment pledge Canada has ever received, though specific details about the allocation remain undisclosed.
The Canadian leader also met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday, congratulating him on hosting a successful G20 summit and pledging to build closer economic ties between the two nations.
In a significant diplomatic move, Carney was scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday to address strained relations stemming from Canada's 2023 allegation that Indian agents may have been involved in assassinating a Canadian citizen of Indian origin—a claim New Delhi has consistently rejected.
Carney made clear that his administration's agenda would not be dictated by the Trump administration, stating he would only engage with the U.S. president when necessary. "I'll speak to him again when it matters," Carney told reporters. "I don't have a burning issue to speak with the president about right now. When America wants to come back and have the discussions on the trade side, we will have those discussions."
The developments at the Johannesburg summit underscore Canada's strategic pivot toward diversifying its international partnerships and reducing economic dependence on the United States amid ongoing trade tensions and diplomatic challenges.
