Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy has publicly accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of taking a “bootlicking” stance toward U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that Ottawa is jeopardising Canadian values in pursuit of closer ties with Washington. In an interview with The Canadian Press and in a blog post released after last week’s NATO summit, Axworthy said Carney and other leaders capitulated to Trump’s demand for a sharp increase in alliance defence spending. He also condemned the government’s decision to drop its planned Digital Services Tax on U.S. tech giants and to conduct what he called “secret” trade talks with Washington, arguing that flattering Trump in hopes of tariff relief risks long-term economic and diplomatic costs for Canada. Axworthy contends the government’s focus on military and industrial policy—exemplified by the fast-tracked Bill C-5—comes at the expense of social programmes, Indigenous reconciliation and Arctic sovereignty. Carney’s office has not commented on the criticism, while the prime minister, in Canada Day remarks, said Ottawa remains committed to defending democratic values.