Justin Trudeau talks Canada’s ‘soft power’ in Davos as Katy Perry looks on

The pop star sat in the front row as Trudeau spoke about Canada not interfering in other countries' domestic policy to seize oil and assert influence.

Former prime minister Justin Trudeau was accompanied by international pop star Katy Perry as he spoke about the importance of “soft power” in geopolitics at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday.

Perry sat in the front row as Trudeau spoke about Canada not interfering in other countries’ domestic policy to seize oil and assert influence.

Soft power, the focus of Trudeau’s address to a group of international politicians and wealthy corporate heads, refers to a country’s ability to wield tools such as music, food, sports and other cultural commodities to strengthen its global reputation and relationships with other nations.

Hard power, by contrast, relies on military force and economic sanctions and may be viewed as coercive.

Trudeau said Ukraine’s stand against Russia’s invasion was “soft power in action,” and that Canada’s solidarity with Ukraine underscores a commitment to an international rules-based order.

“Never underestimate the resolve, the motivation and strength of people standing up to defend their sovereignty, their identity, their very existence,” he said.

The former Liberal leader recounted how Canada has advocated for free trade that prioritizes environmental protection, high labour standards and women’s equality while rejecting the notion that U.S. President Donald Trump could make Canada the 51st state.

The couple, who were first seen in public in Montreal last July, left the event together but did not stop to speak with a long line of journalists.