The Decibel Key takeaways from Carney’s second meeting with Trump
32 snips
Oct 8, 2025 Doug Saunders, an international affairs columnist for The Globe and Mail, shares insights from Berlin about Mark Carney's recent visit to Washington. He critiques Carney's quiet demeanor at the press conference, suggesting it may indicate strategic stalling on trade deals. Their discussion highlights the contrasting narratives around Canada-U.S. trade, with Trump emphasizing conflict while Carney focuses on competition. Saunders warns of the diplomatic risks from silence and explains Carney's possible game plan ahead of USMCA renegotiations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Stalling Beats Hasty Deals
- Oval Office meetings are often humiliating spectacles that force Canadian leaders into awkward public postures.
- Doug Saunders suggests Carney may be stalling rather than making quick concessions to avoid a bad deal with Trump.
Trade Is Integrated, Not Zero-Sum
- Trump framed U.S.-Canada relations as 'natural conflict' over industries like autos and steel, while Carney called it competition.
- Saunders explains integration means tariffs won't easily re-shore auto manufacturing or parts quickly.
Balance Between Pushback And Diplomacy
- Carney balances being cordial with pushing back on unacceptable claims to avoid public humiliation.
- Saunders notes this allows limited resistance while still keeping diplomatic channels open with Trump.