Canada

Edward Luce, Financial Times -   In the last year I’ve visited Canada five times. America’s northern neighbour is among the best vantage points to measure the shock of today’s change. There is no doubt among almost every Canadian to whom I’ve spoken that the US is no longer their ally. In Mark Carney, Canada has the west’s most effective contemporary leader. Unlike most of his counterparts across the Atlantic, Carney has a theory of the case. It is very simple. His goal is to sharply reduce Canada’s dependence on the US both economically and in terms of national security.

Carney also has the advantage in that most Canadians understand his theory of the case and agree with it — the “Canadiano” has replaced the Americano in Canada’s coffee shops. Unless you know what you are aiming to do, and that destination is clear to your electorate, you stand no chance of success. To be sure, barring Greenland, Trump hasn’t coveted the sovereign territory of any other western ally. But it is notable that since Carney replaced the somewhat feckless Justin Trudeau last March, we have heard a lot less from Trump about Canada becoming the 51st state.