PARIS — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made his way to Paris on Monday for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, aiming to gather backing from Canada’s long-standing ally amidst escalating tensions with the United States. The visit, marking Carney’s inaugural international engagement since assuming office on March 14, will also include meetings with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III during a subsequent visit to London.
The strategic choice of Paris and London for Carney’s first international trip underscores the historical ties Canada shares with these European capitals. In his swearing-in ceremony, Carney highlighted the foundational roots of Canada, stemming from French, English, and Indigenous peoples, emphasizing Canada’s distinct identity from America, firmly stating that Canada will “never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States.”
With U.S. President Donald Trump having enacted significant tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and hinting at further economic barriers, tensions have heightened. Trump has even suggested integrating Canada as the 51st U.S. state, inciting national outrage and a consumer backlash in Canada. Upcoming tariffs on all Canadian exports loom as an April 2 implementation looms.
During the flight from Montreal, a senior Canadian official, speaking under anonymity, briefed reporters on Carney’s intention to solidify collaboration with both London and Paris. “While Canada remains a good friend of the United States, we are all aware of the current climate,” the official remarked.
In Paris, Carney will pay a visit to the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral before engaging with Macron at the Palais de l’Élysée. Despite their meeting, no joint press conference is anticipated, possibly indicating Macron’s desire not to further strain relations with Trump amid Canada’s U.S. tensions.
Furthermore, Carney is scheduled to visit the Arctic region to underscore Canadian sovereignty in the area before heading back to Ottawa on Tuesday. Daniel Béland, a political science professor from McGill University, noted, “The itinerary highlights the enduring connections between Canada and its historical colonizers, the UK and France, via the Commonwealth and La Francophonie, respectively.”
For Carney, familiar territory awaits in London, where he previously served as the first non-British governor of the Bank of England, from 2013 to 2020.
Notably, a visit to Washington is not on Carney’s agenda at this time, although he is open to conversing with President Trump, provided that Canadian sovereignty is acknowledged. Carney’s administration is also reassessing the procurement of U.S.-produced F-35 fighter jets in the current trade climate.
On the other hand, Macron is actively promoting the diversification of military equipment away from American sources, aligning with Canada’s reconsideration of its defense procurement, driven by a collective European sentiment wary of relying heavily on U.S. military support.
Engagements continue on the global stage, as Carney recently held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, extending an invitation to the G7 summit hosted by Canada this summer. Meanwhile, Trump indicated plans to converse with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing efforts on resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Looking ahead, Carney is poised to call an election by week’s end, likely for late April or early May. Under the shadow of Trump’s economic hostilities, the Canadian Liberal Party, steered by Carney, may gain the electoral momentum needed to overcome recent challenges and secure a victory.
