Canadians like to see themselves as polite peacekeepers. But there is a worrying gap between how we view global influence and how the rest of the world sees it. In a survey last year, more than half of Canadians said their country was viewed positively in world affairs. By contrast, although not a direct comparison, a global Fulbright Foundation survey conducted at the same time found that less than one-third of respondents said Canada used its influence worldwide “mainly for good intentions.”
In 2015, Mr. Trudeau's campaign criticized the country for losing its soft power, bringing Canada back to the world. Two years later, Canadians are increasingly supportive of finding new economic partners, and when Mr. Trump demanded renegotiation of the NAFTA during his first term, the agreement reached a U.S.-Mexico-Canada deal, which many argue economically is considered economically.
What's wrong? Some people will say “situation”; it is a popular one after all, and the inflation rate is high. Others will blame the failure of the “delivery technique”, the ability to complete the established policy. Some others may still point to Mr. Trudeau’s concerns about issues resonating with the base (gender equality, climate change) with fewer countries they wish to participate. His toughest critics will simply condemn the former prime minister and the cabinet for its ruthlessness.
Over the past decade, Canada's bilateral relations with world powers outside the United States have deteriorated and have not improved. Many in Canada believe that the relationship with China is irreparable, which began the arrest of a Chinese Huawei executive in Vancouver in 2018 at the request of Washington, and more than 1,000 days in prison in China. Current economic relations are equally less annoying: Canada imposes 100% tariffs on electric vehicles made in China and 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum products in China. China, in turn, imposes a 100% tariff on Canadian exports of canola oil, canola oil and peas, and a 25% tariff on seafood and pork. Farmers in western Canada were hurt.
The diplomatic relations between Canada and India are even worse. In October, Ottawa expelled Delhi's high commissioner after accusing India of sending assassins to kill Canadian citizens who were leaders of Sikh nationalist groups. Delhi strongly denied the allegation but still viewed Canada as a softer extremist group, matching the move and expelled Canada's top diplomats. Despite (or possibly due to – the large Indian diaspora living in Canada), the two countries are still locked in Nadir in diplomatic relations. The political institutions in Delhi largely blame Mr Trudeau; it is unclear to what extent Mr Carney has political interest to make things go smoothly.
