Mark Carney has made Paris the first stop on his international tour as Canada’s new prime minister, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on Monday. The two leaders kept their talks private, deliberately avoiding public comments to prevent further escalating tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, seen as a growing challenge by both Ottawa and Brussels.
While Macron did not directly address U.S. provocations, his remarks were clear: “In the current international context, we want to be able to develop our most strategic projects with our closest, more loyal partners,” Macron said, adding that “we are stronger together, better able to ensure the respect of our interests, the full exercise of our sovereignty”. He also reiterated his opposition to protectionism: “[Fair trade] is certainly more effective than tariffs, which create inflation and damage supply chains and our economic integration.”
Carney, who took office Friday after Justin Trudeau, reinforced Canada’s position in the global arena: “I want to ensure that France, and the whole of Europe, works enthusiastically with Canada, the most European of non-European countries, and at the same time resolutely North American, determined, like you, to maintain the most positive relations possible with the United States,” he said.
Carney’s second stop will be London, where he is set to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III. The visit is meant to highlight Canada’s enduring institutional ties to the British monarchy. Like his Paris meeting, no joint press conference is planned.
Carney’s decision to visit Paris and London is no accident. France and the UK represent the historical and cultural roots of Canada, a point Carney emphasized in his inauguration speech on Friday. He outlined Canada’s three foundational pillars: French heritage, British traditions, and Indigenous cultures. He also made it clear: “Canada will never be part of the United States.”
For Carney, the London visit carries personal weight. He served as governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020, becoming the first non-British national to hold the position.
Celebrating his 60th birthday on Sunday, Carney said he would meet with President Trump only if the U.S. leader respects Canada’s sovereignty. The Trump administration has already imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum, sparking outrage in Canada and calls for boycotts of American goods. Now, Canada faces the looming threat of new tariffs set to take effect on April 2.
At this time, Carney has no plans to visit Washington for direct talks with Trump, though a phone call between the two may take place soon. In response to ongoing trade tensions, Ottawa is reconsidering its purchase of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets.
Later that evening, Carney spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, inviting him to the upcoming G7 summit in mid-June in Kananaskis, Alberta.
By the end of the week, Carney is expected to announce new parliamentary elections, likely to be held between late April and early May. The Liberal Party, once on the brink of defeat, may now benefit from mounting national discontent over Trump’s policies, giving them a chance for a surprising electoral comeback.
