Trudeau Champions Canada's Soft Power Amid Global Instability

Article content DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — In her 2017 track “Power”, pop superstar Katy Perry warned to not “mistake my warmth for weakness.” On Tuesday, she watched her beau Justin Trudeau argue that it’s a mistake to underestimate soft power amid instability not seen in 80 years. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. 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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address or Article content As Perry watched impassively from the front row, the former prime minister gave a keynote address at Brand Finance’s Global Soft Power Summit on the margins of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Article content We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team. In Davos, Justin Trudeau argues for more of Canada's 'soft power' as Katy Perry watches Back to video We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team. Article content Article content Trudeau told the crowd of roughly 100 attendees and journalists that democracy is “backsliding” everywhere in the world. That includes the world’s “strongest democracies,” he said in a thinly veiled reference to the United States. Article content Political Hack Political Hack gets at what’s really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill. Wednesdays and Fridays. Article content He added that the world was entering a “new world era” amid instability not seen since the Second World War. Article content “We must face the fact squarely that the 80 years of stability and prosperity that the world has seen since the end of the horrors of World War II, it’s over. That era is done,” he said. Article content During his speech, Trudeau advocated for more free trade in an era of increasing protectionism and building relationships with friendly countries. Article content Trudeau said he was proud to see Canadians at the grocery store making efforts to cut American products out of their lives amid President Donald Trump’s threats to turn Canada into the 51st U.S. state. Article content “Last summer, I went on a date with an American girl on a rooftop bar in Montreal,” he said of the beginning of his relationship with Perry. Article content “And when she ordered Jack and Coke, the server kindly informed her that there is no more American alcohol in the bar and anywhere in Montreal,” he continued. Article content Article content “That’s an example of Canadians standing up for themselves. That’s an example of soft power.” Article content Read More Article content Trudeau’s speech also advocated for the many of the progressive causes that defined his government: environmental sustainability, diversity, human and women’s rights. Article content Those are all causes that Prime Minister Mark Carney largely excludes from his public speeches, in stark contrast to his predecessor. Article content In fact, Carney has said Canada would no longer trumpet those causes to other countries “with a bullhorn” but rather in private, when appropriate. Article content Carney is expected to deliver a keynote speech to the general assembly on Tuesday afternoon. Article content Article content Being a soft power means Canada will never run the world, Trudeau told the small crowd, but should strive to influence it by keeping a seat at the metaphorical table. More specifically, he argued that the country needs to up its engagement in Africa. Article content “I don’t see, suddenly, the world run by Canada. That’s not in our ethos, that’s not in our DNA, and it’s not something we’re aspiring to,” he said.