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Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to New York for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he plans to advance Canada's foreign policy priorities amid a shifting international order. A central focus will be reforming the United Nations to keep it efficient and relevant as some countries, including the United States under President Donald Trump, pull back from multilateral institutions. Trump has previously criticized the UN's effectiveness and withdrawn the U.S. from agencies such as the World Health Organization and UNESCO. Carney intends to meet with a range of world and business leaders, though officials say a face-to-face meeting with Trump remains unconfirmed. This would be their first in-person encounter since Canada suspended trade talks last month following what Ottawa called unacceptable last-minute U.S. demands. The uncertainty comes as Mexico signals it is closer to reaching a trade deal with Washington, raising questions about Canada's position; Carney has stressed that Canada is a sovereign country and will act accordingly. On the diplomatic front, Carney is expected to co-host an event with France and the United Kingdom to bolster support for a two-state solution in the Middle East, building on last year's coordinated recognition of an independent Palestinian state. Canadian officials say the meetings will review progress on governance reforms, demilitarization commitments and other priorities tied to preserving the viability of a two-state outcome. Overall, the trip underscores Canada's effort to help shape a remade international order, defend rules that protect its sovereignty, and convert multilateral co-operation into tangible opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses, even as the prospect of a Carney-Trump meeting hangs in the balance.

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The article critiques Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's strategic alignment with China, arguing it undermines Canada's position as a middle power. It highlights the shift from U.S.-led hegemony to a new era of power politics, where coalitions of capable nations must prioritize security over ideological values. The author warns that Canada's economic ties with China expose it to aggressive actions by Beijing, alienation from U.S.-aligned allies, and potential retaliatory measures. The piece emphasizes the need for Canada to rebalance its foreign policy, focusing on military modernization and trade diversification to support U.S. interests while avoiding entanglements with adversarial powers. Key themes include the erosion of multilateralism, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the risks of overreliance on China's economic influence. The author calls for a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy, aligning with like-minded nations to protect democratic values and national sovereignty.

via Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera — Canada's prime minister has used Trump's attacks on allies and others to refocus Ottawa's foreign policy.