After attending the G7 Summit in Alberta, President Donald Trump praised his host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. He referred to Carney as a “good guy” and a “good representative of Canada,” casually responding, “I think so.”
It seems like Carney is banking on Trump’s admiration, but he might be underestimating the president’s capacity for playing the long game.
This might also tie into the Canadian taxpayers’ investment in a $250,000 table meant for meetings. Trump is known for his discerning taste.
A Father’s Dilemma
Perhaps this admiration stems from Carney’s respect for Trump, evident at both the G7 and NATO summits. At the NATO meeting, he expressed a “muted approval” of Trump’s actions, suggesting it “creates possibilities for moving forward,” particularly concerning Trump’s stance on Iran.
NATO Secretary General General Mark Latte likened his authority to “daddy,” enforcing discipline among his wayward global children.
Will the visits happen again?
The Accommodating Crew
Latte mentioned, “I think it’s a bit of a taste issue,” when asked about his preferences. He remarked that Trump is a “good friend,” pointing out that the president pushes for more military spending.
So, like Carney, Latte seems to conclude that winning Trump’s favor requires a certain degree of submission.
But how committed is Trump to these globalists? Did he transition from a NATO skeptic to a loyal supporter so quickly? Have all member states truly agreed to contribute 5% of their GDP?
Or could it be that Trump is quietly ahead, hoping that both NATO and Carney face challenges?
A Risky Territory
Carney appears quite certain in his admiration for Trump, yet he might be miscalculating the president’s ability to engage in significant long-term strategies.
Retired Colonel Douglas McGregor, who was a senior advisor during Trump’s first term, noted that Carney operates in precarious territory if he’s intent on purchasing military equipment from Europe.
Carney has put the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter acquisition on hold as he explores other possibilities.
“A Challenging Decision”
McGregor pointed out that Carney seemingly opted to invest in European-produced equipment and technology, describing it as “a painful point.” He described it as a direct challenge to Trump.
McGregor cautioned that Carney should be ready for similar unpredictability from the U.S. after his decision to purchase military gear from Russia instead of American sources.
McGregor commented:
We produce oil and natural gas. …Of course, we also produce crops. We’re still farming. …But what do we manufacture? Not much. We mainly generate military hardware. That’s significant for President Trump as he keeps those assembly lines moving. If you want to frustrate him, you’d do exactly what Carney did—say, “We’re not using your equipment; we’re going with European-made products.”
