Ottawa, ON – Former Liberal foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy is sharply criticizing Prime Minister Mark Carney, accusing him of adopting a “bootlicking” stance toward U.S. President Donald Trump that compromises Canadian values.
In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Axworthy, a prominent voice on international relations and architect of the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines, stressed the need for a principled, tactical, and tough approach in foreign policy. “Flattery is always part of the game, but you can take it to the point where you actually become unctuous,” he stated, following an online broadside he launched against the Carney government last Sunday.
Axworthy’s criticisms intensified after the recent NATO summit, where alliance members agreed to Trump’s demand for significantly increased defense spending. In a blog post, Axworthy argued that “NATO now risks letting one craven, mendacious man set the tone for a strategy of unrestrained militarism,” and that it’s perilous to allow defense policy to be dictated by “the abusive, racist bullying of Donald Trump.” He also contended that the summit failed to adequately support Ukraine’s sovereignty and that increased military spending would inevitably lead to cuts in social programs and foreign aid.
“A pattern is now set: Trump harrumphs, we comply. What else will we quietly surrender? Cultural industries? Environmental standards, agriculture security, Arctic sovereignty?” he questioned in his blog.
Axworthy singled out NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s “embarrassing” exchange with Trump, where Rutte referred to the president as “daddy.” He further cited Carney’s decision to rescind the digital services tax on American tech giants and the “secret” trade negotiations with Trump, which lack parliamentary scrutiny, as evidence of the government’s subservience. “When do we stop pretending it’s all part of some clever negotiating strategy that justifies bootlicking in hopes of tariff concessions?” he wrote.
Beyond trade, Axworthy raised concerns about the potential implications of the U.S. possibly selling allies fighter jets with limited capabilities, stating it’s unwise to accept a situation where “the Pentagon controls the black boxes in your airplanes and your destroyers.”
Axworthy believes the Carney government is overly focused on economic security in its foreign policy and domestic legislation, neglecting the crucial role of diplomacy in preventing conflicts and defending Canadian values abroad. He suggested that instead of solely focusing on military spending, Ottawa should mobilize international investment for better freshwater management, as many countries face major droughts that could lead to armed conflict.
Domestically, Axworthy criticized Carney’s major-projects legislation, Bill C-5, for undercutting reconciliation efforts with First Nations. He accused the government of “ignoring” Indigenous Peoples in its rush to pass the bill, emphasizing that Indigenous Peoples are “basically the third pillar of this country” and must be partners, not just consulted. “You’re going to get the machinery working, but you’re going to leave a lot of roadkill along the way,” he warned.
The government fast-tracked the sweeping legislation, opting against shortening the 12-week summer break for further study.
While Prime Minister Carney’s office has yet to respond to a request for comment, Carney himself spoke on Canada Day about the importance of Canadian democracy and values. “We find ourselves in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist,” Carney said. “In a world that’s fraught with division … we’ve decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build.”
Axworthy, who endorsed Chrystia Freeland in this year’s Liberal leadership race, attributed some of his concerns to Carney’s background outside of politics. “I don’t think he’s ever knocked on that door or gone to a constituency meeting until he became a leadership candidate,” he commented.
Axworthy reiterated a previous suggestion that Ottawa should collaborate with countries Trump has discussed absorbing to launch a campaign promoting rules-based trade and peace in the Arctic.