When Prime Minister Mark Carney returned from Washington last week, he was all smiles. Cameras caught him shaking hands with Donald Trump, both men praising each other like old friends. Trump even went as far as to call Carney “world-class,” describing their meeting as “a great success.”
But beneath the diplomatic handshakes and photo ops lies a sobering reality — Canada came home empty-handed.
Despite the flattering words and polished press conferences, Carney failed to secure a single major concession on trade. The promised lifting of U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum remains nothing more than political vapor. No new trade agreement was signed, no commitments written in ink — just another round of “positive discussions” and vague optimism.
In short, Carney’s much-touted “meeting of minds” with Trump produced the same old outcome: America first, Canada waiting in line.
The Optics vs. the Outcome
The contrast couldn’t be sharper. While Carney basks in the glow of Trump’s compliments, Canadian manufacturers continue to face crushing tariffs that have already shuttered plants and cut jobs. His government sold the visit as a diplomatic breakthrough, but there’s little evidence to back it up.
Critics from both sides of the political aisle are now calling Carney’s Washington trip what it really was — a public relations exercise disguised as foreign policy. The tone was friendly, but the substance was hollow.
If this is what “world-class leadership” looks like, it’s hard to tell who the audience is supposed to be — the Canadian people or Donald Trump himself.
A Dangerous Pattern
This isn’t the first time Carney has been accused of prioritizing appearances over results. Whether it’s climate pledges without measurable outcomes, or budget promises that evaporate under scrutiny, his leadership has become synonymous with high polish and low impact.
His deference to Trump, in particular, marks a dangerous precedent. By soft-pedaling Canada’s stance and avoiding firm counter-measures, Carney risks turning Canada’s trade position into one of quiet submission.
For a man who built his reputation as a financial hawk and global power broker, the spectacle of bending toward Trump’s ego seems like a dramatic fall from grace.
Canada Deserves Better
The message is clear: warm praise means nothing without results. Canadians aren’t looking for photo ops — they’re looking for leadership that defends national interests, not one that courts approval from Washington.
Carney’s trip may have looked “positive” on camera, but politics isn’t a beauty contest. When the applause fades and the headlines move on, the only question that matters is: what did Canada actually gain?
So far, the answer appears to be — nothing at all.
