‘Risk-averse’ Carney avoiding stronger stance on Iran war over fears of Trump backlash and CUSMA fallout, say some Liberal MPs

Most caucus members are not pressing the issue, recognizing that Canada has limited leverage and little ability to meaningfully influence the U.S. position, say some Liberal MPs.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured at the Liberals' national caucus meeting on May 25, 2025, appears to have avoided taking a stronger stance on the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran out of concern about provoking U.S. President Donald Trump, and jeopardizing negotiations for the review of the Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement, say some Liberal MPs.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY ABBAS RANA

May 4, 2026

With the high-stakes Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement up for renewal this summer—a deal that impacts hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs—some Liberal MPs are saying one key reason that Prime Minister Mark Carney has avoided taking a firmer stance on the war i...

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