Canada's PM Mark Carney stresses importance of European allies amid US tensions
Topic:World Politics
11m ago11 minutes agoMon 17 Mar 2025 at 2:37pm
Two black in suits shake hands in front of a Canadian flag
Emmanuel Macron met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (left) in his first foreign visit, in a sign of strengthening ties. (Reuters: Thomas Padilla/Pool )
In short:
Canada's new prime minister Mark Carney has stressed the importance of strengthening ties with "reliable allies" in Europe, amid escalating tensions with US President Donald Trump over trade.
Mr Carney has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the G7 summit in June.
What's next?
Mr Carney will also visit London later on Monday.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has said it is important to strengthen ties with "reliable allies" in Europe, as he met French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.
Mr Carney's decision to make Paris his first foreign visit, instead of Washington, came 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," Mr Carney said, ahead of a working lunch with Mr Macron at the Élysée Palace, noting that Canada was "the most European of non-European countries."
Mr Carney will also visit London later on Monday.
In a veiled reference to Mr Trump, Mr 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," Mr Macron said.
Two men in black suits wave at cameras
Mr Carney (left) noted during his meeting that Canada was "the most European of non-European countries." (Reuters: Carlos Osorio)
As the two men were leaving, a Canadian reporter in the room asked whether they wanted to tell Mr Trump to "back off", but neither Mr Carney nor Mr Macron took questions from media.
Mr Trump has shocked Western allies by imposing tariffs on their imports, questioning traditional alliances, and even floating threats of annexation for Canada or the Danish territory of Greenland since he came to office in January.
It is unclear how long Mr Trump's tariffs will last, or what is driving his aspirations for Canada to become the 51st US state.
Mr Carney has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the G7 summit in June in the western province of Alberta, a government official told AFP on Monday local time.
The Canadian leader, who took office last week, spoke to the Ukrainian leader over the weekend, the official said, adding: "President Zelenskyy has been invited to the G7 meeting in Alberta in June."
Reuters/AFP
Posted11m ago11 minutes agoMon 17 Mar 2025 at 2:37pm
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