Overview
- Addressing the World Economic Forum, the former prime minister said the post–World War II period of stability has ended and urged investment in diplomacy, culture and trade over coercion.
- Katy Perry watched from the front row during the speech, and the couple were photographed holding hands as they left the event.
- Trudeau recounted a “date with an American girl” in Montréal who was told U.S. liquor wasn’t available, using the story to highlight Canadian solidarity during trade tensions without identifying the woman.
- He pointed to Ukraine’s resistance and Canada’s human‑centred trade priorities as examples of soft power and rejected talk of Canada becoming the United States’ 51st state.
- After the address, Trudeau and Perry departed without taking questions from Canadian journalists waiting outside.