Prime Minister Mark Carney waves as he departs Beijing on Jan. 17, 2026, on route to Doha, Qatar. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick
Commentary
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was in China recently making trade agreements and talking about “new global realities” and a “new world order.” It was a major shift from his campaign rhetoric, when he answered a question about Canada’s biggest security threat with one word: “China.” His language was likely meant to flatter China’s dictator, Xi Jinping, and chasten U.S. President Donald Trump. It could fail at both. Mr. Xi expects subservience from China’s trade partners and Mr. Trump is not easily cowed.
