Newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, embarked on his first international mission, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The visit aimed to solidify support from France amid escalating tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been critical of Canada’s sovereignty and economic policies.
Though Macron and Carney refrained from engaging with journalists prior to their discussions—a move likely intended to avoid further provocation of Trump—Macron did comment on the economic repercussions of tariffs, stating they contribute to inflation. He also emphasized the importance of collaborating with trusted partners in pursuing strategic endeavors, noting, “We are stronger together, better able to ensure the respect of our interests and exercise our sovereignty wholly.”
Following his inauguration on Friday, Carney’s next stop will be the United Kingdom, where he plans to confer with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and meet King Charles III, illustrating the enduring connections between the two nations. Starmer, like Macron, is not expected to hold a joint press event.
Highlighting national security and sovereignty, Carney will also venture to Canada’s Arctic region. His choice of destinations underscores significant historical ties, as both Paris and London have played critical roles in Canada’s formative years. During his oath-taking, Carney highlighted that Canada was shaped by three foundational peoples: the French, English, and Indigenous groups, and emphasized the distinct nature of Canada’s identity from that of the U.S, declaring, “We will never, in any way, become part of the United States.”
Carney expressed intentions to foster strong alliances with Europe, describing Canada as “the most European of non-European countries,” while also maintaining an important North American relationship with the U.S. However, Trump’s recent tariffs on Canadian metals and persistent suggestions of incorporating Canada as a 51st state have fueled Canadian discontent and calls to boycott American products.
Macron addressed the issue, later stating that equitable trade practices are ultimately more advantageous than tariff impositions, which often lead to inflation, disrupted supply chains, and hindered economic integration.
Political analyst Daniel Béland from Montreal’s McGill University highlighted the significance of Carney’s itinerary, noting Canada’s unique historical and institutional ties to Britain compared to the U.S., as Canada remains a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system akin to the U.K.
Carney’s journey to London marks a return of sorts, as he formerly served as the governor of the Bank of England—where he was the first non-British person to hold the role—from 2013 to 2020.
While Carney has expressed willingness to engage with Trump under conditions of mutual respect for Canada’s sovereignty, he currently has no plans for a visit to Washington, opting instead for a phone dialogue in the near future. His administration is revisiting the acquisition of U.S.-produced F-35 jet fighters amid the ongoing trade disputes.
In parallel, Macron is advocating for reduced reliance on American military equipment, a view echoing wider concerns across Europe about dependency on U.S. defense capabilities.
Updating on efforts in Ukraine, Macron briefly discussed the French-British strategy to ensure a durable peace there, asserting that “Canada and France are powers of peace, reliable allies, working collaboratively towards this objective.”
Ahead of Carney’s discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, an invitation to the G7 summit in Canada was extended. Simultaneously, Trump announced plans to converse with Russian President Vladimir Putin to promote a resolution of the Ukrainian crisis.
Carney is also expected to call for a parliamentary election shortly, with predictions set for late April or early May. The Liberal Party of Canada, freshly challenged by Trump’s economic policies, now sees a potential shift in electoral fortunes under Carney’s leadership.
