By Titilope Adako
New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is travelling to Paris and London on Monday to strengthen alliances amid tensions with US President Donald Trump, whose recent remarks have sparked concerns about Canada’s sovereignty and economy.
Carney has chosen to visit the capitals of France and the UK for his first foreign trip, acknowledging their historical ties to Canada.
During his swearing-in, he emphasised Canada’s distinct identity, stating that the country will “never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States.”
A senior government official explained that the purpose of the trip is to reinforce partnerships with Canada’s founding nations, adding, “The Trump factor is the reason for the trip. The Trump factor towers over everything else Carney must deal with.”
Carney, a former central banker who recently turned 60, is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and later with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss trade diversification and a potential response to Trump’s tariffs.
His visit to London will also include a meeting with King Charles III. Carney previously served as governor of the Bank of England, becoming the first non-British citizen to hold the position.
Following his European engagements, Carney will travel to Canada’s Arctic region to assert the country’s sovereignty before returning to Ottawa, where he is expected to announce an election soon.
He has stated that he is “ready to meet with Trump” if respect for Canada’s sovereignty is maintained but does not currently plan a visit to Washington. Instead, he hopes to hold a phone conversation with the US president.
Trump’s recent 25% tariffs and comments suggesting Canada should become the 51st US state have sparked backlash among Canadians, leading to calls for boycotting American goods.
In response to the trade dispute, Carney’s government is reassessing Canada’s purchase of US-made F-35 fighter jets.
Trump’s stance has shifted Canada’s political landscape, with the ruling Liberal Party—once facing a likely election defeat—now gaining support due to the escalating tensions with the US.
Political experts have noted that Carney’s decision to avoid a trip to Washington is strategic, as past meetings between Trump and Canadian leaders have led to public humiliation.
Meanwhile, analysts stress the importance of diversifying Canada’s trade and reinforcing Arctic sovereignty, particularly given Trump’s rhetoric and the evolving relationship between the US and Russia.
KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep