Carney gave some clues to his strategy during his interview with me. He talked of a "win win" partnership with the US, and reminded the president that Canada was the "biggest client" of 40 of the 50 US states, and a key energy and fertiliser supplier.

Mr Carney’s election offers new momentum for Canada-EU collaboration. His “blue liberalism” brings Canada ideologically closer to Europe’s current leadership – from Emmanuel Macron ’s centrist France to the Christian Democratic Union-led coalition in Germany – providing fertile ground for pragmatic co-operation.