Newly minted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney touched down in Paris today for a pivotal meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, kicking off his first foreign trip since taking office on March 14.

The visit, a deliberate nod to Canada’s historical ties with France and Britain, comes as relations with the Trump administration sour over steep tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and provocative remarks about annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state.

Carney’s itinerary—Paris today, London tomorrow to meet U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III—underscores his intent to bolster alliances with Canada’s European roots. At his swearing-in, he emphasized Canada’s distinct identity, rooted in French, English, and Indigenous foundations, declaring it would “never, ever” merge with the U.S.

This stance resonates amid Trump’s trade aggression, which has sparked a Canadian boycott of American goods.

A senior official, speaking anonymously en route from Montreal, framed the trip as a strategic doubling-down on ties with Paris and London. After visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral, Carney will confer with Macron at the Élysée Palace, though no joint press conference is planned—possibly a cautious move by Macron to avoid antagonizing Trump. Carney’s next stop is Canada’s Arctic, where he’ll reaffirm sovereignty before calling a snap election.

Analysts see this as a counter to Trump’s pressure. Carney, a former Bank of England governor who turned 60 yesterday, has signaled openness to dialogue with Trump if Canadian sovereignty is respected, but he’s holding off on a Washington visit.

His review of a U.S. F-35 jet deal aligns with Macron’s push to reduce Europe’s reliance on American arms, hinting at a broader realignment as Canada navigates Trump’s economic salvoes.