Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the world can advance on various issues without the involvement of the United States. He made these remarks following a Group of 20 leaders’ meeting in Johannesburg, where a consensus was reached despite a boycott by President Donald Trump’s administration. South Africa, the host of this year’s G-20 summit, released a declaration from the meeting, defying the U.S. stance. Trump had called for a boycott after reiterating a discredited claim regarding violence against White Afrikaner farmers in South Africa. The U.S. government indicated that only a chairman’s summary would be available due to its absence from the gathering.

Carney emphasized the significance of the summit, noting that it included nations representing three-quarters of the world’s population, two-thirds of global GDP, and three-quarters of global trade, all without formal U.S. participation. "It’s a reminder that the center of gravity in the global economy is shifting," he said during a press conference in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Since taking office earlier this year, Carney has focused on reducing Canada’s economic dependence on the U.S. He has actively sought to strengthen relationships with countries such as South Africa, India, and China. At the press conference, he highlighted a recent commitment from the United Arab Emirates to invest C$70 billion (approximately $50 billion) in Canada, marking the largest investment pledge Canada has ever received.

"We’re signing new deals and finding new investors to fuel our plans for Canada’s economic ambition," Carney stated. He added that Canada aims to expand trade and foster investment in various sectors, including artificial intelligence and energy, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe.

Carney also mentioned his upcoming meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Johannesburg, where they plan to address and improve their strained relations. Earlier this year, Canada alleged that Indian agents may have been involved in the assassination of a Canadian citizen of Indian descent, a claim that India has denied.

Carney made it clear that he will not allow Trump to dictate his agenda. "I’ll speak to him again when it matters," he said. "I don’t have a burning issue to speak with the president about right now. When America wants to come back and have the discussions on the trade side, we will have those discussions."