Prime Minister Mark Carney, while actively promoting Canada's economic interests abroad, finds himself repeatedly drawing distinctions between his administration and that of his predecessor, Justin Trudeau. During a recent press conference at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, Carney directly addressed questions about his government's commitment to gender equity, a cornerstone of the previous Liberal government's international agenda.
A Deliberate Shift in Foreign Policy Tone
When questioned on whether Canada's pursuit of trade and investment still prioritizes progress on equal rights for women and gender minorities—a particularly poignant issue in host country South Africa, which has declared femicide a national disaster—Carney offered a clarifying response. "We have that aspect to our foreign policy, but I wouldn't describe our foreign policy as feminist foreign policy," the Prime Minister stated, adding, "Those are different points, but related."
This remark was widely interpreted as a deliberate move away from the Trudeau government's decade-long practice of branding its international approach as explicitly feminist. While the previous administration never provided a exhaustive blueprint for this policy, Trudeau and his senior ministers consistently championed feminist values as a core principle in both domestic and foreign affairs.
Carney's Relentless Focus on Economic Diplomacy
Carney's comments in South Africa underscore a broader effort to reframe Canada's priorities. Since taking office, the Prime Minister has embarked on an ambitious schedule of international travel, positioning himself as a deal-maker focused on economic stability. He has visited at least 17 foreign countries since March, in addition to attending high-level meetings at the United Nations.
His itinerary has included direct engagements with powerful world leaders like China's Xi Jinping and India's Narendra Modi, figures with whom the Trudeau government had more strained relations. The central themes of Carney's diplomatic missions have been economic issues, global upheavals, and navigating challenges such as the posture of the United States under President Trump, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and Canada's chronic status as a large but underperforming economy.
Navigating a Complex Global Stage
Carney's focus has been squarely on securing trade deals, attracting investment, and signing memorandums of understanding. When pressed for updates on ongoing trade discussions with the United States, particularly regarding tariffs, the Prime Minister expressed a sense of weariness. "I don't have a burning issue to speak with the president about right now," he remarked in Johannesburg, a summit notably affected by the U.S. president's absence or early departure.
He added, "When America wants to come back and have the discussions on the trade side, we will have those discussions." This stance suggests a strategic patience and a focus on diversifying Canada's economic partnerships, potentially in anticipation of a continued U.S. retreat into protectionism.
Despite his active international presence, Carney faces the ongoing challenge of convincing Canadians that his "nation-building" initiatives, including his government's first budget, are delivering the tangible progress voters expected. His Johannesburg comments on foreign policy serve as the latest signal that while elements of the past government's legacy may persist, the Carney era is firmly establishing its own distinct priorities on the world stage.
