Prime Minister Carney Builds Resilient Global Partnerships at World Economic Forum
Prime Minister Carney WEF 2026 Signals Canada’s Economic Direction
DAVOS, Switzerland — Prime Minister Mark Carney used his first appearance at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting as Canada’s head of government to position the country as a stable, high-confidence destination for global investment, while reinforcing Canada’s role as a principled and pragmatic middle power in an increasingly fractured global economy.
Speaking in Davos, Prime Minister Carney emphasized that Canada’s new government is focused on what it can control: diversifying trade relationships, attracting large-scale investment, and strengthening economic and security resilience at home.
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting brings together nearly 3,000 leaders from government, business, academia, and international organizations across more than 130 countries, making it one of the most influential global economic gatherings of the year.
A Call for Principled and Pragmatic Engagement
In a keynote address delivered on January 20, Prime Minister Carney outlined Canada’s approach to navigating an era marked by great-power rivalry and economic uncertainty. He argued that middle powers like Canada are not passive actors in this environment, but can shape outcomes by working collectively with trusted partners.
Canada has what the world wants — and in this era of profound change, we’re a strong, reliable partner with ambition to build.
At the World Economic Forum, I met with business leaders from across sectors and nations who want to build with us. pic.twitter.com/XRRkZfOZYZ
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) January 21, 2026
Carney stressed that while the global order is changing, Canada is responding by building resilient trade networks, deepening strategic alliances, and investing in domestic economic strength rather than retreating behind protectionist walls.
Security, Sovereignty, and the Arctic
During his time in Davos, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Discussions focused on global trade disruptions, collective security, and maintaining support for Ukraine’s sovereignty as efforts continue toward a just and lasting peace.
Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada’s support for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, underscoring that decisions regarding Greenland’s future rest with Greenland and Denmark. He expressed opposition to tariffs linked to Greenland and called for focused diplomatic talks to advance shared Arctic security and prosperity objectives. Canada, he noted, continues to increase investments in Arctic defence, infrastructure, and security in coordination with NATO allies.
Driving Investment and Economic Growth
A central objective of the Prime Minister’s participation at the forum was attracting new investment to Canada. Carney met with global business leaders representing companies with a combined market capitalization of approximately $10 trillion, highlighting Canada’s competitive advantages across clean and conventional energy, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, defence, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and health technology.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s goal of unleashing $1 trillion in investment over the next five years, positioning Canada as a premier destination for global capital amid global volatility.
Building Momentum Through Strategic Partnerships
The Davos meetings build on recent international engagements in China and Qatar, where Prime Minister Carney launched new strategic partnerships aimed at expanding trade, unlocking export markets, and strengthening defence cooperation. In just days, Canada secured agreements expected to open billions of dollars in new economic opportunities while reinforcing long-term diplomatic and security ties.
Canada enters this period with strong fundamentals, including a AAA credit rating, the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, and one of the most stable banking systems globally. The government also points to Canada’s preferential trade access to 1.5 billion consumers across 16 free trade agreements as a key pillar of its economic strategy.
Looking Ahead
As global uncertainty continues, Prime Minister Carney said Canada’s path forward is grounded in resilience, diversification, and principled engagement.
“Nostalgia is not a strategy,” the Prime Minister said in a statement released during the forum, emphasizing that Canada’s response to global change is to build strength at home while engaging confidently abroad.
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