Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney says it is important to strengthen ties with "reliable allies" in Europe, as he met British and French leaders on his first overseas visit amid tensions with the United States.
Carney's decision to visit Paris and London instead of Washington, as is usual for Canadian leaders, comes after US President Donald Trump escalated trade tensions with both Canada and Europe, and floated threats of annexing Canada.
"It is more important than ever for Canada to strengthen its ties with reliable allies like France," Carney said, ahead of a working lunch with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
The former Bank of England governor later arrived in London to meet King Charles, Canada's head of state, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street.
Canada's Carney speaks after meeting with European, UK allies. – AP
Starmer has called Canada a friend and ally of the UK but has declined to directly call out Trump's talk of annexation – though he went further than he has before by stressing Canada's sovereignty.
“The relationship between our two countries has always been strong," Starmer told Carney inside the British leader's 10 Downing St residence.
“Two sovereign allies, so much in common – a shared history, shared values, shared king.”
Carney dismissed the notion that he is seeking the support of other countries to affirm Canada as a nation.
“We don't need another country to validate our sovereignty, we are sovereign,” he said.
Mark Carney meets with Keir Starmer at No.10 Downing Street. – Reuters
Macron did not address Trump’s attacks on Canada ahead of their talks but noted that tariffs only bring inflation and damage to supply chains.
"In the current international context, we want to be able to develop our most strategic projects with our closest, more loyal partners,” Macron said.
He added that "we are stronger together, better able to ensure the respect of our interests, the full exercise of our sovereignty".
In London, Carney was received at Buckingham Palace by King Charles III, Canada's head of state, before his talks with Starmer. The monarch, wearing a red tie and an Order of Canada lapel pin, congratulated Carney on his recent victory. He was sworn in on Friday.
King Charles with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, at Buckingham Palace. – AP
Carney, also a former head of the Bank of Canada, became the leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party this month by depicting himself as an outsider with a history of tackling crises.
The political novice argued he was best placed to oversee trade negotiations with Trump, who is threatening additional tariffs that could cripple Canada's export-dependent economy.
King Charles has not hidden his support for Canada in recent weeks.
In February, the king issued a statement to mark the 60th anniversary of the national flag of Canada, describing it as "a symbol that never fails to elicit a sense of pride and admiration, as I recall with the deepest affection my many Canadian visits and friendships".
On Tuesday, Carney will travel to the edge of Canada’s Arctic to reaffirm the country’s security and sovereignty.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Elysée Palace in Paris. – Reuters
Why Paris and London?
Carney has chosen the two European capitals that shaped Canada’s early existence. During his swearing-in, he noted the country was built on the bedrock of three peoples, French, English and Indigenous.
He added that Canada is fundamentally different from America and will “never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States”.
“I want to ensure that France, and the whole of Europe, works enthusiastically with Canada, the most European of non-European countries," Carney said.
But he vowed to “maintain the most positive relations possible with the United States”.
Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said other leaders are “playing it safe” and making sure to avoid gaffes at a time of international tension around Trump's actions and rhetoric.
Carney's choice of itinerary emphasises Canada's strong connection with the two former colonial powers, Béland said, and noted that “the fact that Canada never broke away from the UK in a violent fashion is a key historical and institutional difference between the United States and Canada".
The trip to London was a kind of homecoming. Carney became the first non-British governor in the Bank of England’s 319-year history when he took the job in July 2013. He served until March 2020.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and wife, Diana Fox Carney, tour Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. – Reuters
No Washington trip planned
Carney said he won’t sit down with Trump until the US is ready to have a more comprehensive discussion on trade.
“When the US is ready to have that we’re ready to sit down,” he said.
The prime minister also said Canada is not trying to organise a coordinated retaliation response among countries. He also said there is a limit to what Canada is prepared to do in retaliation given that the US economy is 10 times the size of Canada’s.
In a veiled reference to Trump, Macron said Canada was a good example of a country that defends its national interests while being collaborative on the global scene.
"I think we both believe that fair trade that respects international rules is good for everyone's prosperity, and is certainly more effective than tariffs," Macron said.
Carney also noted the United States, France, the UK and Canada are members of NATO and it would be “unthinkable” for the US to annex Canada through military means.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, disembark an aircraft at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. – Reuters
Carney, who turned 60 over the weekend, said he's ready to meet with Trump if he shows respect for Canadian sovereignty.
He said he doesn't plan to visit Washington at the moment but hopes to have a phone call with the president soon. His government is also reviewing the purchase of US-made F-35 fighter jets in light of Trump's trade war. Carney said the potential for having more production in Canada is a factor.
Meanwhile, Macron has been increasing efforts to persuade France's allies to move away from purchases of American military hardware. That coincides with mounting concerns in Europe that European defences are overly dependent on US weaponry, technical support and goodwill.
Macron also touched on the French-British plan for securing any ceasefire in Ukraine.
"This common commitment at the side of the Ukrainians has always aimed for a peace that is solid and lasting," Macron said.
"Canada and France are powers of peace, reliable allies, which will take part together in this effort."
Carney spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone and invited him to the G7 summit this summer that Canada is hosting.
Carney is expected to call a parliamentary election by the end of the week, to take place in late April or early May. Canada's governing Liberal Party had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared economic war. Now, the party and its new leader could come out on top.
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, greets Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Elysee Palace in Paris. – AP