PM Carney’s office offers few details on call with Trump before NATO summit

Prime Minister Mark Carney's office is keeping mum on the details of his recent call with U.S. President Donald Trump, a conversation that took place just weeks before a critical NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey. The brief, one-sentence statement from the Canadian Prime Minister's office has only fueled speculation, especially amidst heightened transatlantic tensions and Trump's recent contentious foreign policy moves, including an ongoing 'Iran war' and an offer to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. This reticence underscores the delicate tightrope allies are walking as the July 7-8 summit approaches, where Trump's 'America First' doctrine is expected to dominate discussions. The stakes couldn't be higher for the alliance, which is grappling with a new, ambitious NATO Defense Spending Target requiring members to hit 5% of their GDP on defense by 2035. Trump has consistently criticized allies for not pulling their weight, and his frustration with European nations for not supporting the US during the 'Iran war' is palpable, raising concerns about the future reliability of the Transatlantic Alliance. Canada, under PM Carney, has met the previous 2% target and committed to the new 5% goal, but the Pentagon has openly criticized Ottawa for not providing a clear roadmap to achieve it. All eyes are now on Ankara, where leaders are expected to present their credible spending plans and navigate the deep divisions laid bare by recent events. With Ukraine's war against Russia still raging and discussions around Turkey's F-35 purchase potentially upending alliance unity, the summit will be a critical test of NATO cohesion. European leaders, having recently met in the E5 Group to coordinate their approach, are keen to 'defuse tension with Washington' and ensure a 'no frills, calm and peaceful summit', signaling the urgent need to stabilize relations with the unpredictable U.S. President.