Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to South Africa for the G20 summit this Friday, where he aims to leverage the absence of U.S. President Donald Trump to advance trade discussions with other nations. A Canadian official disclosed that Canada plans to collaborate with other countries to raise funds, emphasize the significance of critical minerals, and foster the formation of ad hoc coalitions of nations in Johannesburg.
Carney is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with leaders from France, Norway, the European Union, Germany, and the United Kingdom on Saturday, with a meeting scheduled with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. In contrast, Trump has opted out of attending the G20, criticizing South Africa’s hosting of the summit. The White House has announced that the only U.S. presence will be a diplomat for a ceremonial handover since the U.S. will chair the G20 next year.
The absence of the U.S. has shifted the focus of the summit, providing Carney with more opportunities to engage in one-on-one meetings with leaders from various countries, according to Roland Paris, an international affairs professor at the University of Ottawa. Carney’s primary objective is to bolster Canada’s trade relationships and reduce reliance on the U.S., given the ongoing impact of American tariffs on certain Canadian sectors.
One of the key agendas for Carney is to explore key bilateral meetings to drive progress on several fronts, including attracting foreign investments to Canada. Notably, Carney plans to meet with Qatar, known for its substantial sovereign wealth fund that invests globally using oil and gas revenues. Moreover, discussions with the European Union regarding the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are on the table, aiming to involve Europe more actively in the trade agreement.
Carney also intends to highlight Canada’s initiatives in critical minerals and advocate for the formation of more coalitions to address common interests such as clean technology and international finance. Despite facing questions about improving relations with India amid past tensions, the Canadian government is pursuing engagement with countries like India on mutually agreeable issues. The government is optimistic about resetting relationships and addressing previous challenges to foster cooperation.
Future steps may include Carney’s visit to India to further strengthen ties, as both countries navigate potential obstacles. The relationship between Canada and India remains sensitive, with ongoing concerns raised by Canadian officials regarding alleged activities involving Indian agents on Canadian soil. The focus remains on enhancing diplomatic and economic ties while prioritizing public safety in all engagements with India.