Canada’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Paris and London on Monday, seeking to bolster alliances as he confronts U.S. President Donald Trump’s assaults on Canada’s sovereignty and economy. The trip, his first abroad as leader, underscores a deliberate pivot to France and the U.K.—nations instrumental in shaping Canada’s historical identity—amid escalating tensions with its southern neighbor.
Speaking at his swearing-in on Friday, Carney emphasized Canada’s distinct identity, rooted in its French, English, and Indigenous foundations, declaring it “will never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States.” This stance reflects a response to Trump’s threats of 25% tariffs and provocative claims that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state—rhetoric that has sparked widespread Canadian outrage and boycotts of American goods.
“The Trump factor is the reason for the trip. The Trump factor towers over everything else Carney must deal with,” said Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. The 59-year-old former central banker will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to explore trade diversification and potential coordinated responses to Trump’s policies.
A meeting with King Charles III, Canada’s head of state, adds a symbolic layer to the London visit, a homecoming for Carney, who once led the Bank of England as its first non-British governor.
Following Europe, Carney will visit Canada’s Arctic to reaffirm its sovereignty—a move tied to concerns over Trump’s aggressive posture and a perceived U.S.-Russia thaw, noted Daniel Béland of McGill University. With over 75% of Canada’s exports reliant on the U.S., Béland stressed the urgency of diversifying trade.
Meanwhile, Robert Bothwell of the University of Toronto endorsed Carney’s decision to bypass Washington, citing Trump’s tendency to “humiliate his guests” rather than engage rationally.
Carney has signaled openness to dialogue with Trump—contingent on respect for Canadian sovereignty—but prefers a phone call over an immediate visit. As he prepares to call an election soon, his government is also reassessing the purchase of U.S.-made F-35 jets, signaling a broader reevaluation of ties amid the trade war.
The Liberal Party, revitalized under Carney, now sees a path to victory after Trump’s actions shifted the political landscape.