Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday on his first official overseas trip, seeking support from one of Ottawa’s oldest allies as President Donald Trump attacks Canada’s sovereignty and economy.
Macron and Carney did not ask journalist questions before the lecture. It’s a smear that the French president may not want to confuse Trump.
Macron did not deal with Trump’s attack on Canada, but noted that tariffs would only lead to inflation.
“In the current international context, we want to be able to develop the most strategic projects together with our closest, more loyal partners,” Macron said, adding, “We can become stronger together and ensure the respect for our interests, the full exercise of sovereignty.”
Kearney was sworn in Friday. He then visits the UK, where he meets Canadian head of state, Prime Minister Kiel Starmer and King Charles III. Furthermore, priorities are not expected to hold a joint press conference.
Kearney will also travel to the edge of Canada’s Arctic to reaffirm the security and sovereignty of the country.
Kearney chose two European capitals that shaped Canada’s early existence. During his oath, he pointed out that the country was built on the bedrock of three people, French, English and indigenous people. He said Canada is fundamentally different from America and “will never become part of the United States in any way, in any way.”
“I want to assure that France and the whole of Europe are enthusiastically working with Canada, the most European non-European nation, and at the same time, as you do in North America, to maintain the most positive relationship possible with the United States,” Carney said Monday.
Since Trump took office, he has repeatedly commented on calls to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, transforming Canada into a 51st state, angering Canadians and boycotting American products across the country.
Trump also threatened to charge cleaning fees on April 2nd on all American trading partners.
Macron said fair trade is “certainly more effective than tariffs that create inflation and damage supply chains and our economic integration.”
Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said Carney’s itinerary choice highlights a strong connection between Canada and the two former colonial forces.
“The fact that Canada did not leave the UK in a violent way is a significant historical and institutional difference between the constitutional monarchy and Canada, not the republic that adopted and maintained a British-style parliamentary system,” Beland said.
A trip to London is a kind of homecoming. When Kearney got his job on July 1, 2013, he became the first non-British governor in the Bank of England’s 319-year history. He worked until March 15th, 2020.
Kearney, who turned 60 on Sunday, says he’s ready to meet Trump if he respects Canada’s sovereignty. He said he is not currently planning to visit Washington, but hopes to call the president soon. His government is also reviewing the purchase of US-made F-35 fighter jets in light of Trump’s trade war.
Meanwhile, Macron has increased his efforts to persuade French allies to stay away from purchasing American military hardware. This is in line with growing European concerns that European defenses are overly dependent on US weapons, technical assistance and goodwill.
Macron touched on France and the UK’s plans to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“This common commitment on the part of Ukrainians has always been sought for solid and lasting peace,” Macron said. “Canada and France are the forces of peace, trustworthy allies and will be part of this effort,” he gave no details.
Kearney spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky late Sunday and invited him to the G7 Summit, which is hosted by Canada this summer.
Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, pushing to end the war in Ukraine.
Kearney is expected to call legislative elections by the weekend in late April or early May. Canada’s governing liberals were poised for a historic election defeat this year, before Trump declared an economic war. Now the party and its new leaders have come to the top.