Mark Carney's Comeback Victory Positions Canada as a Global Counterweight to Trump’s Nationalism

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney walks into his office after the Liberal Party staged a major political comeback to retain power in parliamentary elections, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

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Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney attends an event at the Liberal Party election night headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

Mark Carney's victory positions Canada as Global Counterweight to Trump’s Nationalism

Patricia Romero - International
Tell Us Toronto

OTTAWA, ONT - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney staged a remarkable political comeback in Monday’s election, securing a victory for the ruling Liberals and setting the stage for Canada to assume a greater global leadership role amid rising concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist agenda.

Carney, the first person to have led two G7 central banks, brings a rare level of economic credibility to the office, prompting international observers to see him as a potential champion of multilateralism. His pointed critiques of Trump during the campaign resonated well beyond Canada’s borders.

“Canada is ready to lead a coalition of like-minded nations that share our values,” Carney said in Ottawa on April 3. “We believe in global cooperation and the free flow of goods, services, and ideas. If the United States steps back, Canada will step up.”

Carney’s Liberals defeated the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre, whose “Canada First” message and confrontational tone drew comparisons to Trump. Though the Conservatives had maintained a polling advantage for months, their support collapsed after Trump imposed tariffs on Canada and made inflammatory remarks suggesting annexation—moves that sparked a consumer backlash against U.S. goods and travel.

Despite Carney's personal win, the Liberals appear to have secured only a minority in the House of Commons, forcing them to rely on smaller parties to govern—a situation that could limit their ability to act decisively.

Carney’s campaign momentum has drawn international attention, especially from Australia, where political strategists say voter backlash against Trump-style politics is bolstering the center-left Labor Party ahead of its May 3 election.

Former diplomat Colin Robertson praised Carney as Canada’s most prepared prime minister in decades, citing his leadership at the Bank of Canada and Bank of England. “He enters office with deep expertise and global connections. People will take his calls because the major challenges today are economic,” said Robertson.

Carney is expected to prioritize strengthening the Canadian economy, starting with infrastructure investment and diversifying trade away from the U.S. toward Europe, Australia, and Asia-Pacific democracies like Japan—moves designed to cushion the impact of Trump’s new tariffs on cars, steel, and aluminum.

Walking a Diplomatic Tightrope

As leader of the G7’s smallest member, Carney faces the delicate task of building international alliances without provoking Trump directly. “It’s a difficult tightrope,” said Roland Paris, a former adviser to ex-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “Canada has an interest in working with like-minded nations, but not in becoming a lightning rod for Trump’s retaliation.”

Paris added that Carney’s measured demeanor and economic gravitas may offer a more constructive counterpoint to Trump than Trudeau, whom Trump famously dismissed as a “governor.”

Robertson expects Carney to seek common ground with Trump, possibly at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta this June, where a trilateral meeting with Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum could take place.

Carney has also pledged to accelerate military spending, reduce Canada’s dependence on U.S. defense contracts, and engage with the EU’s proposed €800 billion defense initiative.

Yet some experts caution against overstating Canada’s global influence. Chris Hernandez-Roy, deputy director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Carney lacks the stature of figures like Germany’s Angela Merkel or France’s Emmanuel Macron. “Canada’s limited military capacity and stagnant economy constrain its leadership potential,” he said.

Still, Canada’s rotating presidency of the G7 this year gives Carney an influential platform.

A Global Backlash Against Trumpism

While Carney’s victory offers encouragement to center-left leaders abroad, analysts say his success is difficult to replicate. Trump’s threats against Canada posed a unique existential challenge that galvanized Canadian voters.

In Australia, however, Trump’s unpopularity appears to be undermining conservative leader Peter Dutton, once seen as a viable contender. Polls now show Labor either winning outright or forming a minority government with independent support.

“Trump has been a wrecking ball for the conservative movement—both here and globally,” said Andrew Carswell, a former press secretary to ex-Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

In Hungary, populist leader Viktor Orbán—who has openly praised Trump—faces mounting opposition amid economic woes and growing unease with Trump’s aggressive trade tactics.

Meanwhile, in the U.K., Prime Minister Keir Starmer has attempted a more diplomatic stance toward Trump, but it has done little to boost his popularity. Patrick English of YouGov notes that British voters remain deeply skeptical of Trump, especially over tariffs and foreign policy.

“If Labour wants to regain public trust, a firmer stance on Trump could help,” English said. “In the U.K., Trump’s policies are unpopular. In Canada, it’s even more stark—supporting Trump is basically un-Canadian.”

Richard Johnston, a retired political science professor, sees a broader lesson for conservative parties globally: “To win, you may need to leave the MAGA rhetoric behind.”