Prime Minister Mark Carney will arrive in Johannesburg on Friday for the G20 leaders’ summit, where Canada may find unexpected diplomatic space to advance several trade and investment priorities. The opening comes as U.S. President Donald Trump declines to attend the summit and has opted not to send senior American officials.
A senior Canadian official told the media that the absence of the United States—typically a dominant presence at such gatherings—could give Canada greater room to deepen discussions with multiple partners on critical minerals, foreign investment and new international coalitions.
Trump has called this year’s summit a “total disgrace” due to its location in South Africa, repeating disputed claims that the country is persecuting white farmers. The White House confirmed only a U.S. diplomat will attend a procedural handover ceremony, as the U.S. assumes the G20 presidency next year.
Foreign policy expert Roland Paris, a former adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said the U.S. absence effectively removes the central gravitational force of past G20 meetings. Without leaders competing for face time with the American president, Carney may gain more access to counterparts from Indonesia, France, Germany, the U.K., India, South Korea, Mexico and the European Union.
Paris described the G20 as “one-stop shopping” for Canadian diplomacy at a moment when the government aims to broaden trade ties and reduce Canada’s dependence on the American market. Ongoing U.S. tariffs and trade uncertainty continue to affect Canadian sectors, prompting Ottawa to set an ambitious goal of doubling non-U.S. exports over the next decade.
Canadian officials say Carney intends to use the summit to accelerate progress on attracting foreign capital and promoting Canada’s critical minerals strategy. A key meeting is planned with Qatar, home to the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund and a significant global investor.
Carney arrives in South Africa following a stop in the United Arab Emirates, where he announced major investment commitments and new trade initiatives. Canada is expected to push similar priorities on the sidelines of the G20 as it works to strengthen economic partnerships beyond the United States.
