Canada Is Winning Big Deals — And the World Is Taking Notice
On August 6, 2026, Matt Winkler, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Bloomberg News, spoke with the hosts of Bloomberg Podcasts’ Businessweek Daily about Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney, and the country’s position in an increasingly difficult and unpredictable world.
His assessment of Canadians was memorable:
“Canadians are like hobbits. They’ll save the world for you. You know, they’re consistently underestimated.”
That may sound humorous, but Winkler’s point is serious.
Canada has often been viewed as the quieter North American power — a country that doesn’t always make the most noise or demand the most attention.
But quiet should never be confused with weak.
🇨🇦 Mark Carney: Doing the Work
Winkler also had strong words about Prime Minister Mark Carney and the way he has approached leadership.
“Carney has consistently been underestimated, certainly by Trump and his enablers. And he’s somebody who does the work.”
That last sentence may be the most important one:
He does the work.
Winkler continued:
“And that’s sort of what Canada is about. He does the work, whatever the work is.”
There is something distinctly Canadian about that philosophy.
You don’t necessarily have to pound your chest.
You don’t have to dominate every headline.
You don't have to tell everyone how great you are.
You get the job done.
Canada Is Playing to Win
In a world of tariffs, trade disputes, geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly changing alliances, Canada has an opportunity to prove that steady leadership, strong institutions and international relationships still matter.
The United States will always be an enormously important neighbour, trading partner and ally. But Canada does not have to define its success solely by its relationship with America.
Canada can compete.
Canada can negotiate major deals.
Canada can build stronger relationships around the world.
And Canada can win.
That is especially important at a moment when many people assumed Canada would simply have to accept whatever terms came from Washington.
Winkler’s argument suggests something very different.
Canada — and Carney — may have been underestimated.
Integrity, Commitment and Gratitude
Winkler offered another observation that deserves attention:
“Canadians like that. They like people who have integrity, commitment and gratitude.”
Those three words — integrity, commitment and gratitude — describe a style of leadership that doesn’t depend on constant confrontation.
It depends on competence.
It depends on preparation.
And ultimately, it depends on results.
Canada doesn't need to become America to succeed.
Canada needs to become the strongest version of Canada.
Perhaps that is the real lesson behind Winkler’s wonderful comparison to the hobbits.
In The Lord of the Rings, the hobbits weren't the biggest, loudest or most intimidating characters in the story.
They were underestimated.
And then they changed everything.
Never underestimate the hobbits.
And never underestimate Canada. 🇨🇦
🎥 Watch the video:
https://youtu.be/0ZBaAehGVqI?si=5nYcnSyJ5Nh4PpwL
The quotations and assessments above are attributed to Matt Winkler from his August 6, 2026 appearance on Bloomberg Podcasts’ Businessweek Daily.
The Genie Chronicles explores tomorrow’s.
Read The Genie Chronicles
Explore the books • Continue to Amazon
