MONTREAL — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is setting off on a significant diplomatic journey to Paris and London on Monday, aimed at reinforcing alliances in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent rhetoric challenging Canada’s sovereignty and economy.
Carney, in his inaugural international visit, deliberately chose these capital cities representative of the nations instrumental in shaping Canada’s formative years. During his recent swearing-in ceremony, Carney emphasized Canada’s foundation on three distinct groups: French, English, and Indigenous peoples, asserting the country’s unique identity that stands apart from America, asserting Canada would “never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States.”
A senior government official, speaking to journalists on the plane en route to Montreal to accompany Carney, clarified that the primary goals of the trip include strengthening bonds with Canada’s historical partners. The official remarked that while Canada maintains a good relationship with the United States, current circumstances necessitate this crucial visit.
“The premise behind this trip is largely influenced by Trump’s policies,” noted Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto. Carney, who recently marked his 60th birthday, is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris before heading to London to engage with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. These discussions aim to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships and potentially formulate a strategic response to Trump’s tariffs.
In the U.K., Carney will also converse with King Charles III, who holds the ceremonial role of head of state of Canada. His visit to England also marks a moment of nostalgia, as Carney previously served as the governor of the Bank of England, distinguishing himself as the institution’s first noncitizen leader.
Following his European engagements, Carney plans to head to the edge of Canada’s Arctic to assert and enhance Canada’s security and authority in the region, before ultimately returning to Ottawa, where an election call is anticipated soon. Carney expressed willingness to engage with Trump, provided Canadian sovereignty is respected. However, a visit to Washington is not currently planned, though Carney hopes for a discussion with the president via phone in the near future.
Trump’s imposition of sweeping 25% tariffs and his remarks suggesting Canada should become the 51st U.S. state have stirred substantial unrest among Canadians, prompting many to eschew American products. In light of the ongoing trade tensions instigated by Trump, Carney’s administration is reconsidering the procurement of U.S.-manufactured F-35 fighter jets.
Initially, the ruling Liberal Party seemed poised to suffer a historic electoral setback this year, until Trump’s economic stance galvanized Canadian sentiment, potentially leading to the party’s resurgence under Carney’s leadership.
Robert Bothwell, a history and international relations expert at the University of Toronto, advised that Carney’s choice to avoid a visit to Trump is strategically sound. “Traveling to Washington yields little benefit,” Bothwell commented, referencing previous engagements between the U.S. and Canada’s leadership, which have often ended in discomforting interactions for Canadian representatives.
Bothwell noted that Trump’s demand for respect is frequently imbalanced, often requiring others to compromise their dignity to meet his expectations. Daniel Béland, a political science authority from McGill University in Montreal, emphasized the urgency of diversifying Canada’s trade relationships amid the protracted trade conflict with the U.S., highlighting that over 75% of Canadian exports are U.S.-bound.
Béland also highlighted the significance of Arctic sovereignty for Canada, pointing out rising concerns due to Trump’s aggressive posture towards both Canada and Greenland, alongside the seemingly growing rapport between Russia, a predominant Arctic force, and the U.S. under Trump’s administration. These dynamics elevate anxieties regarding Canada’s control over this strategically vital yet remote area.
