By Peter AitkenShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney remains optimistic that the world can handle economic issues without the United States after the Trump administration boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg this weekend.
Host nation South Africa issued a declaration from the meeting in defiance of the U.S., which said that only a chairman’s summary would be released from the gathering.
During a press conference on Sunday, Carney said the summit was a “reminder that the center of gravity in the global economy is shifting.”
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email on Sunday afternoon outside of normal business hours for comment.
Why It Matters
The U.S. decided to boycott the G20 summit conference in South Africa as President Donald Trump maintained the host nation mistreats white farmers.
Trump called it a “total disgrace” to hold the G20 in South Africa while the country permits “abuses” of white Afrikaner farmers, allowing violence and land seizures, a claim the Trump administration has continued to push while South African officials reject and deny any such attacks or discrimination take place.
Carney ran for his post on a platform opposing Trump's aggressive posturing towards Canada, including a trade war and several comments about how Canada should become the 51st state. Trump has accused Canada of benefiting from an unfair and imbalanced relationship, which Ottawa rejects.
...What To Know
Carney spoke with reporters at the tail-end of the summit and addressed the absence of any U.S. presence, indicating that foreign leaders will not wait to let their hands be tied if the world’s largest economy decides to sit on the sidelines.
Carney praised the value of the summit, which “brought together nations representing three-quarters of the world’s population, two-thirds of global GDP and three-quarters of the world’s trade, and that’s without the United States formally attending.”
“It’s a reminder that the center of gravity in the global economy is shifting,” the prime minister said.
“We’re signing new deals and finding new investors to fuel our plans for Canada’s economic ambition,” he said. “We’ll expand trade and catalyze investment in increased partnerships across a range of areas from AI to energy in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.”
The Canadian leader discussed his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and stressed that he won’t have his agenda dictated by the U.S. or its priorities.
“I’ll speak to him [Trump] again when it matters,” Carney said. “I don’t have a burning issue to speak with the president about right now. When America wants to come back and have the discussions on the trade side, we will have those discussions.”
...What People Are Saying
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X: "Congratulations to [Cyril Ramaphosa] on a successful G20 Summit — the first on African soil. We just launched talks on an investment protection agreement to boost business between our nations, and create more opportunities for Canadians and South Africans, together."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: "Had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. We appreciated the significant momentum in our bilateral ties since our earlier meeting held during the G7 Summit hosted by Canada. We agreed to further advance our relations in the coming months, particularly in trade, investment, technology and innovation, energy and education."
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wrote on X, in part: "Amid the international community's facing of multifaceted crises, the role of the G20 is increasingly important, and I also felt high expectations toward Japan. Building on the achievements so far, we will continue to closely collaborate with G20 members and actively contribute to resolving various challenges."
South Africa's government in a statement posted on X, in part: "The G20 Summit is a wrap, but the work for a future of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability is just getting started. Thank you to all who made this historic event a resounding success. The voice of the people was heard."
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