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In Davos, Justin Trudeau argues for more of Canada's 'soft power' as Katy Perry watches
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.
On Tuesday, 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.
As Perry watched impassively from the front row, 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.
He added that the world was entering a “new world era” amid instability not seen since World War II.
“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.
During his speech, Trudeau advocated for more free-trade in an era of increasing protectionism and building relationships with friendly countries.
Trudeau said he was proud to see Canadians at the grocery store making efforts to cut American products out of their lives amid Trump’s threats to turn Canada into the 51st U.S. state.
“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.
“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.
“That’s an example of Canadians standing up for themselves. That’s an example of soft power.”
Trudeau’s speech also largely reprised and advocated for the many of the progressive causes that defined his government: environmental sustainability, diversity, human and women’s rights.
Those are all causes that Prime Minister Mark Carney largely excludes from his public speeches, in stark contrast to his predecessor.
In fact, Carney has said Canada would no longer trumpet those causes to other countries “with a bullhorn” but rather in private, when appropriate.
Carney is expected to deliver a keynote speech to the general assembly on Tuesday afternoon.
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.
“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.
“What we’ve always done best as a country… is an ability to convene people, pull groups together and be part of real conversations where we’re looking for solutions that make sense and align with our values.”
Despite leaving office one year ago, Trudeau’s popularity among event-goers remained high. Before and after his speech, attendees mobbed the prime minister for handshakes and selfies.
Perry, one of the most popular pop stars of the century, stood quietly away from the crowd as she watched people mob Trudeau.
National Post
cnardi@postmedia.com
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