In Canada, Nordic leaders aim to deepen ties as trade is used as ‘coercive tool’ – National
The prime ministers of Canada and the Nordic countries agreed to continue 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 ends his time in Norway with a meeting with the prime minister of that country, as well as the leaders of Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Finland.
“At a time characterized by tension in the country, wars and a number of problems, we are united in the opinion that international cooperation, based on international law, values and shared interests, is still the best way to strengthen our common security and prosperity,” reads the joint statement of the leaders after the meeting.
The leaders discussed the need to expand trade and investment ties, as the like-minded countries have been boosted in recent years in part by US tariffs and threats to annex Greenland.
Greenland is a sovereign territory of Denmark.
In a press conference after the meeting, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the old world order is gone and may not return.
“So, we have to create something new and it has to be a global system built on the values we stand for,” said Frederiksen.
When asked if the leaders believe threats to Greenland’s sovereignty are over, Carney said Canada and the Nordic nations can work to protect their sovereignty by working together on shared security, especially in the Arctic, and by deepening economic cooperation.
Frederiksen did not answer that question.
The leaders were asked whether they were prepared to stand up to defend Greenland and Denmark if another NATO ally tried to take over the territory – referring to US statements about the need to take the island for national security purposes.
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Carney said territorial sovereignty must be upheld and the future of Greenland lies with its people and Denmark.
“We’re going to take that back with the appropriate measures, as partners,” Carney said.
“The European Union, and others, have been clear about these important principles and the principle of unity has helped to create the space that should always be there, to be clear, to develop a better security umbrella in the Arctic …
US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte agreed on a draft future agreement on Arctic security in January.
Trump said it would allow “full access” to Greenland. NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said Rutte did not suggest “compromising sovereignty” in talks with Trump.
The leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have said that the island’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and other leaders said they also stand with Greenland.
“According to the basic principles of international law, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is not just language in school books. These are hard facts about how we preserve freedom, democracy,” said Store.
These strong conditions include increasing threats of war in the Arctic. Carney said Russia poses a major physical security threat, but there are other “layered” threats.
NATO is currently running its Cold Response training exercises, where 32,000 soldiers from 14 countries, including the US, are conducting several military exercises in northern Norway and Finland.
“We need to understand that Russia is our biggest threat, and will always be a threat to the Nordic countries, the Arctic. And that’s why we have to move forward to strengthen the security of the Arctic together,” said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
Carney was asked about the status of a joint German-Norwegian bid to supply Canada with submarines, and the possibility of buying Swedish Saab fighter jets, and if that was discussed during the meeting.
Carney said the bids for the submarine – Korea’s Hanwha is another contender – were currently being reviewed and insisted it was an independent process in which he would not be involved.
The store said it respects the Canadian procurement process.
A joint statement by the six leaders shared a commitment to continuing Arctic security efforts, deepening trade and investment ties, and building “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 expected to leave Norway on Sunday for London, where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.
It will be the seventh meeting between the two leaders in a year.
Carney is also scheduled to meet King Charles.
After that, the prime minister will remain in Europe on vacation while the rest of the delegation returns to Canada on Monday. He stressed Thursday that he will remain close to the staff throughout his tenure.
–in files from the Associated Press
© 2026 The Canadian Press
