Opinion
This week was a busy one in Washington, D.C. for Canadians, as not only was Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House, but I was at the United State Department of Agriculture with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.
It was a well-timed trip for both the PM and me, given all of the activity right now on Capitol Hill. Naturally, the outcome of my trip received much less attention and deservedly so, but Carney should have left D.C this week happy with his trip.
Leading up to the trip, U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that he was unclear on the point of Carney’s visit, but I think, in all honesty, everyone knows why Carney was at that White House even before Parliament resumes. Coming off a come-from-behind election victory, Carney was looking to restore better relations with the president after six months of the 51st state talk. An in-person visit to Canada’s largest customer for energy, agricultural products, autos, forestry and more was exactly the kind of official firsts visit a new PM should do.
Some critiqued Carney for not speaking very much during the public sit down, but I felt he said as much as he needed to and did work in a very good real estate reference, “not all real estate is for sale.” He also did not take the bait in feeling obligated to stick up for Chrystia Freeland or correcting Tump on where Alexander Ovechkin was born. President Trump, on multiple occasions, called PM Carney by his first name, “Mark.” This is a good sign, I think.
There were a few takeaways of my visit to D.C. relative to Carney, agriculture and discussions with U.S. stakeholders.
U.S. farm groups have an initial good reaction to Prime Minister Carney in comparison to his predecessor, Justin Trudeau. In a number of conversations, I heard U.S. industry executives repeat the USTR Greer line of, “(Carney) is a man of substance.” This is a reference to his central bank experience and leadership at Brookfield and Bloomberg. Canada will want to ride that wave for as long and far as it can in the relationship with the Americans.
Also, U.S. farm groups seem much less concerned about trade with Canada than they were even three months ago. Since President Trump has relented on targeting Canada in trade and economic talks, farm groups have turned their trade messaging on needing to rectify trade relationships with China, India, and the European Union. This is a good sign for Canadian agriculture, whether it be exportable commodities or supply management.
I have been in the same room with Secretary Brooke Rollins on three occasions now, and my opinion remains the same: She is a strong communicator who holds significant influence in cabinet and with the president. She was very close to President Trump on the U.S./UK trade deal announcement and he often refers to her in related speeches. In February. I heard D.C. veteran Mary Kay Thatcher refer to Rollins as the closest cabinet member to the president. Something I have noticed is Secretary Rollins clearly has a strong appreciation for U.S. history as she often works a historical references into her addresses to stakeholders. At a time when RFK Jr. has some influence with the President and the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative will soon report its commission findings, agriculture needs an ally like Secretary Rollins to hold possible suggestions in check. In general, Secretary Rollins is really liked and supported by agricultural stakeholders I talk to regularly.
Overall, I think it was a pretty good week in D.C. for the Prime Minister — the question now is how he builds on this week for the benefit of the Canadian economy and his election mandate.
