They have been fighting for a long time now. This was unexpected.
President Donald Trump received rare praise this week from an unexpected source: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In a post shared Friday on social media platform X, Carney publicly applauded Trump’s decision to nominate Kevin Warsh to serve as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve.
“Kevin Warsh is a fantastic choice to lead the world’s most important central bank at this crucial time,” Carney wrote.
The endorsement raised eyebrows, given recent tensions between Washington and Ottawa. Still, Carney’s comments carried added weight due to his extensive background in global finance. Before entering Canadian politics, Carney served as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England—roles comparable to leading the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Warsh and Carney previously worked in overlapping leadership roles during the global financial crisis era. Warsh served as a Federal Reserve governor from 2006 to 2011, while Carney led Canada’s central bank beginning in 2008. Later, during Carney’s tenure in the United Kingdom, Warsh was brought in to review the transparency of Bank of England policy meetings.
Carney’s praise comes despite growing friction between the Trump administration and Canada. Just days earlier, Carney publicly criticized Trump’s tariff strategy during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, while also voicing support for Greenland’s sovereignty—positions that conflicted with Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
After a phone call with Trump earlier this week, Carney told reporters he stood by his Davos remarks. Trump responded by withdrawing Canada’s invitation to participate in a U.S.-led advisory board overseeing reconstruction efforts in Gaza, citing disagreements over the scope and direction of the initiative.
Economic tensions have continued to mount. Trump has warned of steep new tariffs if Canada were to pursue deeper trade ties with China—something Carney says is not under consideration. The president has also floated potential restrictions on Canadian aircraft imports, signaling a tougher trade posture.
Meanwhile, reports that U.S. officials met with separatist activists from Canada’s oil-rich Alberta province sparked backlash from Canadian leaders. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the outreach as “treason,” while the White House confirmed the meetings but stated no support or commitments were offered.
Despite the diplomatic strain, Carney’s endorsement of Warsh underscores a notable divide between political disagreements and economic leadership. Even as policy disputes persist, Trump’s Federal Reserve pick is earning respect from seasoned global financial figures—an uncommon show of bipartisan and international confidence in the administration’s economic direction.