Mark Carney travelled to France and the United Kingdom in his first official visits as prime minister, where he called for European countries to work “enthusiastically” with Canada.
Carney, who became prime minister just three days earlier, travelled to France for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on March 17, before setting off for England to meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III.
During a press conference with Macron earlier in the day, which followed a visit to the newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral, Carney said Canada is the “most European of non-European countries.”
“Canada is a reliable, trustworthy, and strong partner of France, which shares our values and lives them through action, during this age of economic and geopolitical crises,” he added.
Shortly after becoming prime minister on March 17, Carney said he had received an invitation from French President Macron to discuss “a variety of” economic and security issues, and that he would have similar discussions with Starmer.
“Security is a priority for this government, reinforcing our security, as is diversifying our trading and commercial relationships,” Carney said in Ottawa on March 15.
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During his visit with King Charles on March 17, Carney said he had experienced “a bit of a disaster” earlier that day, when his Order of Canada pin fell on the tarmac and broke. Charles jokingly offered to give Carney his pin instead, but the prime minister refused because he is “not of that rank.”
Carney, who previously served as governors of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, will also meet with Starmer on March 17, before making a trip to Iqaluit in Canada.
The discussions between Carney and Starmer will focus on strengthening transatlantic security, growing the artificial intelligence sector, and the commercial relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom, according to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Carney said on March 15 that he had “no plans” to visit the United States yet, but would speak with U.S. President Donald Trump “at the appropriate moment.”
Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Canadian goods in recent weeks, including on steel and aluminum, and has repeatedly expressed interest in turning Canada into the “51st state.” He has also threatened to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries including Canada beginning on April 2.
Earlier in the week, Carney said he “understands” and “respects” Trump’s concerns about American workers and fentanyl, which he has tied to his tariff agenda, and said he is ready to meet with the president “under a position where there’s respect for Canadian sovereignty.”
