Arab Canada News
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Published: May 1, 2025
At the outset, it is important to note that this article is directed at a conscious political level, completely detached from transient emotions and reactions. It is based on a deep sense of belonging to identity, and it establishes a firm conviction that the Arab in the diaspora — wherever he may be — is a thinker with a free opinion, a responsible position, and a real role in shaping visions and contributing to decision-making, especially at pivotal moments that require clarity and courage.
Therefore, we send a clear message to those whose hearts are filled with hatred, who feed on rhetoric of hatred and nihilism, or who see the politics of the diaspora as mere hypocrisy, hollow slogans, and superficial readings: after reading this article, spare your negative critiques and vile sighs, and ignore what it contains of vision, thought, and shared opinion, for it is simply deeper than your ideological concepts, and far removed from the narrow frameworks of thinking that govern your possessive, exclusionary, isolationist, close-minded, and hypocritical views.
Here, I would like to point out that the date for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to the American capital, Washington, has been officially announced, where he will meet President Donald Trump at the White House next week.
Therefore, I can say that in moments of great transformation, good intentions and friendly statements are not enough to make history. True transformation is built on political courage, economic insight, and strategic partnerships that transcend the logic of quick gains and temporary losses. From this standpoint, this anticipated visit acquires dimensions that go beyond the traditional protocol between two neighbors linked by deep historical and strategic relations.
It is a pivotal moment and a rare opportunity to reset the compass and regain trust between two countries, which together form one of the most dynamic alliances in the West. A new page can be written, restoring value to both the Canadian and American citizen, through respecting their dignity and enhancing their sense of identity and belonging, after years of trade tensions, mutual tariffs, and diverging positions on core issues.
We have previously said — and will repeat — that wisdom in dealing with the roaring challenges that threaten the fabric of the relationship between the two countries, affect the dignity of their peoples, and threaten vital interests between them, is not a diplomatic luxury but an absolute necessity that is possible at the same time. Today, circumstances seem more favorable than ever before to launch from that wisdom towards a renewed partnership that accommodates divergent visions and unites in facing the major challenges that beset the world.
Carney's Realism… and Trump's Cunning
Both leaders fully understand the extent of the challenges imposed by the current phase. Mark Carney, with his deep economic background and leadership experience in facing global financial crises, does not see the relationship with Washington as a political luxury or a tactical margin, but rather considers it a cornerstone of economic, social, and even Canadian national security.
In contrast, Donald Trump enters his second term with unconventional political experience, supported by a solid electoral base and a direct rhetoric that has proven effective in influencing the American public mood. He, despite the apparent contradictions in his statements, practices a deliberate media policy, with a calculated rhythm, based on a pragmatic philosophy that does not recognize traditional boundaries and does not stop at red lines. The apparent confusion in his positions often conceals a tight negotiation strategy that employs shock and escalation to achieve concessions from the other party.
From here, between the wisdom and realism of Mark Carney, his precise calculations, and his remarkable success in his first political experience — where he managed to dominate the Canadian scene in a short time and in a skillful and studied manner — and the pragmatism of Donald Trump and his controversial personality, a rare opportunity forms to craft an “intelligent understanding” that reorganizes bilateral priorities, alleviates tension in contentious files, and restores balance to a relationship that has been fraught with turmoil in recent years.
This understanding is not built on emotions or passing slogans but on solid foundations of mutual recognition of strategic interests, and on political courage capable of reassessing what has been considered fixed, and developing what can be changed within a framework of realism and responsibility.
In a media interview conducted by one of the major Arab satellite channels in the past two days, I was asked a direct question about the future of the relationship between Ottawa and Washington, and the possibility of placing Mark Carney in the same position that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held within the White House. My answer was decisive: this is completely unlikely. President Donald Trump is fully aware of the deep differences between the two personalities and recognizes that Mark Carney is the Prime Minister of Canada — a country that possesses strategic, economic, and sovereign weight, and has a special historical relationship with the United States that does not allow for such types of political displays and unnecessary political bullying.
I would go further in my estimation: the anticipated meeting between Carney and Trump will be warm, smooth, and based on mutual respect between two leaders who know the status of their countries, and who master the art of managing major interests, away from showy positions or public impositions.
Unity at Home is a Condition for Cohesion Abroad
However, mere openness to Washington is not enough. Canada, which is undergoing a phase of internal political and economic transformation, is called upon to rebuild its national unity from within. The discussions that have swept through political life during the election campaign, and the party and regional divisions that have surfaced, impose on the new government an internal challenge that is as important as external files.
Unity of ranks, respect for diversity, and adopting an inclusive discourse that transcends political polarization represent today indispensable foundations for strengthening Canada's negotiating position externally and for building a more cohesive image of the state in international forums.
Heavy Files on the Table
The anticipated meeting between Carney and Trump will not be a mere diplomatic courtesy. There are heavy files awaiting resolution, from tariffs on Canadian mineral exports, to the future of cooperation in the energy sector, to border security issues, and coordination on sensitive international files such as the Ukraine issue and the Middle East issue, as well as increasing Chinese influence.
Moreover, there is an urgent need to discuss the future of free trade agreements in light of the new American direction towards economic protectionism, and the rising populist rhetoric on both sides. Canada needs to ensure its position within American supply chains, and America needs a reliable partner capable of playing a mediating role in transatlantic relations.
A Historical Moment That Must Not Be Missed
The history of Canadian-American relations is filled with sharp turns, but what distinguishes this moment is that both countries are facing major economic and social pressures at home, and strategic transformations in the international system abroad. Therefore, the option for cooperation — based on equality and mutual respect — is not only desirable but an imperative necessity that achieves the interests of both parties and restores balance to the partnership in the face of changing circumstances.
Thus, the success of this option does not rest solely on Canadian leadership but also on President Donald Trump, who has expressed a positive gesture by describing Mark Carney as “very nice.” But this courtesy is not enough if it is not translated into clear positions that distance themselves from provocative populist rhetoric — whether related to the talk of “annexing Canada” or continuing to impose customs tariffs that disrupt markets and cause direct damage to the strategic relationship between the two countries.
A Final Word
We know that Canada stands today at a crucial crossroads. It looks, with all realism and determination, to invest in this “successful start” and write a blank page in its record of relations with Washington — not from a perspective of courtesy or dependence, but from a standpoint of equality, maintaining its status, and preserving the dignity of national identity.
Repairing the rift cannot be achieved by good intentions alone, but requires courageous political will, responsible decisions, and collective efforts from the elites, institutions, and the peoples of Canada and the United States, who ultimately hold the decisive say when it comes to the future of the relationship, the identity of the two countries, and their advanced positioning in a turbulent world that recognizes only solid partnerships and balanced alliances.
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