Did Prime Minister Mark Carney lose his mind in 2024 when he was recorded saying he wants to work with China on AI?
A video from Chinese TV posted to X shows Carney saying, "The issues around the new industries, particularly around China's leadership in climate change and the further acceleration that's necessary for that — that's a crucial discussion, as is the discussion around AI, and really the application of AI, we see China's leadership there in deployment of AI technologies, which is in many respects unique, and we can all learn from that and work together."
Collaborating with China on AI is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse — only much worse. Carney's suggestion — and stupidity — disqualify him from the prime ministership. He should pack up and return to Europe.
"If China wins the global AI competition, Beijing will have the chance to embed censorship, surveillance, and other antidemocratic principles throughout the digital ecosystems that have come to define our lives," said Colin Kahl, former U.S. under secretary of defense for policy.
Paul Triolo, a partner at DGA Group and senior adviser to the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Project on the Future of US-China Relations said, "The escalating AI competition between the U.S. and China poses significant threats not only to both nations but also to the entire world. They could lead to outcomes that threaten global peace, economic stability, and technological progress."
The warnings beg the question, is Carney too far in bed with the Chinese? Is he fit for office?
A report from the Western Standard suggests yes.
Carney, former chair of Brookfield Asset Management, was involved in securing a $256 million loan from the Bank of China in October 2024. This occurred two weeks after he met with the deputy director of the People’s Bank of China during a trip to Beijing, where he also reportedly met Chinese President Xi Jinping.
At the time, Carney was serving as chair of Brookfield and had recently been appointed by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as chair of the Liberals’ Task Force on Economic Growth in September 2024.
"Why would he be having secret meetings with top government-controlled bankers getting a quarter billion dollar loan while he was supposed to be acting in Canada's interest as the prime minister's economic advisor?" said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Carney backpedaled on China — revealing great inconsistency — when he said on Wednesday, “China does not share Canadian values when it comes to trade and Canada needs to be very careful about boosting bilateral commercial ties,” as reported by Reuters and CTV News.
He emphasized diversifying trade with “like-minded partners” in Europe over deepening ties with China.
