International policy hurdles confronting Prime Minister Mark Carney, excluding issues related to President Donald Trump.

Title: Navigating Foreign Policy Challenges for a New Prime Minister

Prime Minister Mark Carney is gearing up for a host of international issues on his agenda - and it's not all about U.S. President Donald Trump. Here are six major challenges that Ottawa will be tackling in the coming months, during a particularly turbulent time in world politics.

The G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta

In just six weeks, Carney will host his leading counterparts at the Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. The key players in attendance will include Trump, as well as the leaders of France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., Italy, and the European Union.

The G7 meeting is an opportunity for leaders to evaluate the world's current challenges and sign a communiqué that sets the tone for other industrialized democracies. When Canada last hosted the G7 summit in 2018, Trump refused to sign the closing communiqué and left early, later calling Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau "very dishonest and weak" in a heated exchange over steel and aluminum tariffs.

To engage Washington in the G7, Ottawa has proposed maritime security as a shared concern for countries sharing three oceans with Canada. The summit's topics are expected to cover "shadow fleets" - vessels smuggling sanctioned goods, recent sabotage attacks on undersea cables, illegal fishing, and biodiversity loss.

Canada must also make decisions regarding which countries and institutions should be invited as guests, such as South Africa, which is hosting the G20 summit in November, potentially earning an invite to Kananaskis. Carney has already invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Defense Deals with Europe and NATO

Carney is most likely to attend the annual summit of the NATO military alliance, which takes place on June 24 in the Netherlands. The gathering comes amid concerns that Europeans accuse Trump of undermining the alliance by suggesting that the U.S. wouldn't defend countries that don't meet defense spending targets.

Canada, like many other NATO members, has never met the NATO defense spending guideline of 2% of gross domestic product, a goal agreed upon in 2006. The conversation is also being shaped by fears of Russian aggression, with Moscow's potential annexation of more territory in Ukraine and possible invasions of countries like Latvia, where Canadian troops serve as part of a mission to deter Russian aggression.

The European Union is working on an effort to boost defense spending and military industries, with the aim of making Europe less reliant on the U.S. Carney has expressed interest in being part of this project, known as ReArm Europe, and has referred to Canada as "the most European of non-European countries."

Relationship with China

During the campaign, Carney tagged China as "the biggest security threat to Canada," citing Beijing's tacit support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, foreign interference, and Arctic claims. China denies these claims and proposes a partnership with Canada to counter American bullying.

Relations between the two countries have been strained since China imposed tariffs in retaliation for Canada following the U.S. in restricting Chinese electric vehicles and steel. These tariffs have mainly affected farmers in Western Canada, prompting regional premiers to push Ottawa to lift restrictions on canola and pork. Additionally, China has been importing large amounts of Canadian crude, reaching a historic high in March.

However, China is treated as a second-largest trading partner for Canada, and although there is potential collaboration in clean energy, Carney has expressed caution, stating that Canada should diversify its partnerships with "like-minded partners that don't include China."

Reviving Ties with India

In late 2022, the Liberals made India a critical part of their Indo-Pacific strategy, describing India as a democratic nation with strong trade potential. That all changed after the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023. Conservatives have accused Trudeau of allowing India's involvement in Nijjar's death, and the RCMP claims it has evidence that New Delhi is behind a series of crimes targeting Sikh-Canadians.

Relations between the two countries have been icy ever since, with India's foreign minister declaring Canada to be "our biggest problem" and blaming the Liberal government for supporting a separatist movement that calls for a Sikh homeland called Khalistan to be carved out of India. Carney has stated his intent on pursuing trade with India and ending trade wars while acknowledging the strained relationship, which is not entirely of Canada's making.

Expanding Trade Ties

Engagement with the U.K. has been limited due to a pared-down trade agreement since Brexit, with talks on a full agreement having been suspended. Canada's High Commissioner to London, Ralph Goodale, has suggested that negotiations will be unlikely to advance if Britain doesn't drop "unscientific" limits on beef or resolve issues related to the Brexit transition, such as failing to negotiate its own cheese import quota.

Ottawa has long criticized Canadian businesses for failing to take advantage of trade deals signed with countries like Chile and South Korea, and Carney is expected to prioritize efforts for businesses to expand their reach beyond traditional partners.

Engagement with the Global South and Middle East

Carney has pledged to maintain Canada's foreign aid spending and development funding, despite threats from other countries to reduce their commitments. This is crucial as refugee camps are running out of food aid and United Nations agencies are considering mass layoffs.

It remains unclear how Canada's foreign aid strategy will evolve under Carney's leadership. However, given his focus on economic partnerships and climate action, it is likely that the Global South and Middle East will be areas of increased engagement, with a particular emphasis on sustainable development and reducing economic and climate vulnerabilities. Carney may also seek to build strategic partnerships in the region, with growing economies and interests in Canadian commodities and nuclear energy.

Working Together to Face Global Challenges

Despite the tumultuous geopolitical landscape, Prime Minister Mark Carney is driven to leave a lasting and positive impact on world politics. As he takes on these international challenges, Carney will work closely with his allies to ensure that Canada plays a constructive and influential role in shaping the future of global leadership.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to address complex foreign policy challenges, including those beyond U.S. President Donald Trump, in the coming months.
At the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Carney will discuss maritime security and other shared concerns with global leaders, aiming to engage Washington amidst tense past relations.
The NATO military alliance summit in the Netherlands is another focus, with Carney seeking to reassure European allies concerned about potential U.S. withdrawal from defense commitments.
Carney's government is considering inviting South Africa, hosting the G20 summit in November, to the G7 summit, while maintaining relations with Ukraine.
In terms of defense, Carney has expressed interest in joining the European Union's ReArm Europe project, aiming to counter Russian aggression and strengthen alliances.
Amidstrained relations with China due to trade disputes and accusations of foreign interference, Carney is emphasizing the need for diversification of partnerships, focusing on like-minded partners.
Canada aims to revive ties with India after the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as Carney works towards ending trade wars and forging new partnerships, while addressing regional concerns. Ottawa will also prioritize business expansion into non-traditional markets, such as those in the Global South and Middle East, to ensure sustainable development and climate action.