Susan Delacourt: In Europe, Mark Carney seeks a partner that respects Canada in a way Donald Trump won’t - Toronto Star

The American president's grievances against Canada and Europe are not rooted in trade but in values, Susan Delacourt writes.

Prime Minister Mark Carney addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Sept. 17, 2026.

Susan Delacourt is an Ottawa-based columnist covering national politics for the Star. Reach her via email: sdelacourt@thestar.ca or follow her on X: @susandelacourt

Even before Mark Carney had uttered a word at the European Parliament, Donald Trump was proving the cold truth in the speech — that the president is a threat to sovereignty, not just trade.

Trump said on the eve of the speech that he would decide what to make of Canada and Europe’s strengthened alliance, and mete punishment accordingly.

“If I think it’s at all a hostile act,” Trump told reporters Wednesday, “I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things.”

That’s exactly the kind of thing Carney was talking about when he said in his speech, “No one can control our open markets, impair our sovereignty, threaten our territorial integrity or undermine our freedoms.”

And the prime minister doubled down in his subsequent news conference.

“No one is going to tell Canadians what language we wish to speak, or how we develop our culture and no one is going to impose restrictions in terms of our trade agreements with other countries.”

The prime minister said his objective for “a deeper partnership” with Europe is “collective resilience.”