The prime ministers of Canada and Nordic countries have agreed to proceed working to deepen economic ties as technology and international trade are increasingly used as a “coercive tool,” they said in a joint statement.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is concluding his time in Norway meeting with that country’s prime minister, together with the leaders of Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Finland.
“At a time characterised by heightened geopolitical tension, war and a large number of crises, we’re united within the view that international co-operation, based on international law, shared values and interests, stays the most effective option to strengthen our common security and prosperity,” reads a joint statement from the leaders after the meeting.
The leaders discussed the necessity to expand trade and investment ties, as like-minded countries have been upended in recent times partly as a result of U.S. tariffs and threats to annex Greenland.
Greenland is a self-governing Danish territory.
During a press conference after the meeting, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the old world order is gone and sure not coming back.
“So, we now have to construct something recent and it needs to be a world order that’s built on the values that we represent,” Frederiksen said.
When asked if the leaders imagine threats to Greenland’s sovereignty are over, Carney said Canada and the Nordic nations can work to defend their sovereignty by working together on shared defence, especially within the Arctic, and by deepening economic collaboration
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Frederiksen didn’t reply to that query.
The leaders were asked in the event that they were prepared to arise to defend Greenland and Denmark if one other NATO ally tried to seize the territory — a reference to U.S. statements on the necessity to take over the island for national security purposes.
Carney said territorial sovereignty have to be upheld and the long run of Greenland is as much as its people and Denmark.
“We’ll back that with measures as essential, as a partner,” Carney said.
“The European Union, and others, have been clear about these fundamental principles and the principle of solidarity has helped to create the space which at all times must have been there, to be clear, to develop a greater security umbrella within the Arctic … So, we’re clear on where we stand and we’ll proceed to face with Denmark and Greenland.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte agreed to a framework for a future deal on Arctic security in January.
Trump has said that it might allow “total access” to Greenland. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said Rutte didn’t propose any “compromise to sovereignty” in discussions with Trump.
The leaders of each Denmark and Greenland have said that the island’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and the opposite leaders said in addition they stand with Greenland.
“It’s for basic principles of international law, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which isn’t simply language in schoolbooks. That is hardcore realities for the way we preserve freedom, democracy,” Store said.
These hardcore realities include increasing military threats within the Arctic. Carney said that Russia presents the largest physical security threat, but there are more “layered” threats.
NATO is currently operating its biennial Cold Response training exercises, where 32,000 troops from 14 nations, including the U.S., are conducting a bunch of military exercises in northern Norway and Finland.
“We’d like to know that Russia is our biggest threat, and it can remain a threat for Nordic, Arctic countries. And that’s why we now have to go forward to strengthen Arctic security together,” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said.
Carney was asked in regards to the status of a joint German-Norwegian bid to provide Canada with submarines, together with the potential for purchasing Swedish Saab fighter jets, and if that was discussed in the course of the meeting.
Carney said the submarine bids — Korean-based Hanwha is the opposite competitor — are currently being reviewed and he stressed it’s an independent process that he won’t get entangled in.
Store said he respects the Canadian procurement process.
The joint statement from the six leaders shares a commitment to proceed working on Arctic security, deepening trade and investment ties, plus constructing “prosperous and green economies.”
Before the meeting with Nordic leaders, Carney met with Norway’s finance minister and the CEO of Norges Bank.
Carney is ready to go away Norway on Sunday for London, where he’s scheduled to satisfy with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.
It should be the seventh meeting between the 2 leaders in only over a 12 months.
Carney can be scheduled to satisfy with King Charles.
After that, the prime minister will remain in Europe on vacation while the remaining of the delegation heads back to Canada on Monday. He stressed Thursday that he’ll remain in close contact with staff throughout his break day.
—with files from The Associated Press
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