PARIS — New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Paris Monday to satisfy with French President Emmanuel Macron, in search of help from considered one of Canada’s oldest allies as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to assault Canada’s sovereignty and economy.
That is Carney’s first official international journey since he was sworn in on March 14. He’ll subsequent land in London the place he’ll sit down with U.Okay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, the pinnacle of state in Canada.
Learn Extra: Why Canada Is Giving Mark Carney a Shot
Why Paris and London?
Carney has intentionally chosen the 2 European capital cities that formed Canada’s early existence. Throughout his swearing-in ceremony, he famous the nation was constructed on the bedrock of three peoples, French, English and Indigenous, and mentioned Canada is essentially completely different from America and can “by no means, ever, in any manner form or kind, be a part of america.”
Since Trump got here to workplace, he has imposed whopping tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and repeatedly commented on turning Canada into the 51st state, infuriating Canadians and sparking a name to boycott U.S. merchandise throughout the nation. He’s threatening to impose tariffs on all Canadian merchandise on April 2.
On Monday, a senior Canadian authorities official briefed reporters on the airplane earlier than choosing up Carney in Montreal, saying the aim of the journey is to double down on partnerships with London and Paris. The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as he’s not allowed to talk publicly, mentioned Canada is a “good good friend of america however everyone knows what’s going on.”
Carney will go to the Notre-Dame Cathedral earlier than assembly with Macron on the Palais de l’Élysée. Nonetheless, Macron is not anticipated to carry a joint information convention with Carney, an indication the French president won’t wish to upset Trump by siding with Canada.
Earlier than returning to Ottawa on Tuesday, Carney will journey to the sting of Canada’s Arctic to “reaffirm Canada’s Arctic safety and sovereignty.”
“The selection of this itinerary for Prime Minister Carney’s first official journey emphasizes the robust connection of Canada with the Arctic in addition to with the 2 former colonial powers Canada stays connected to, by the Commonwealth on the U.Okay. facet and La Francophonie on the France facet, mentioned Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill College in Montreal.
“The truth that Canada by no means broke away from the U.Okay. in a violent style is a key historic and institutional distinction between america and Canada, a constitutional monarchy fairly than a republic that has adopted and retained a U.Okay.-style parliamentary system.”
The journey to London will likely be a little bit of a homecoming, as Carney grew to become the primary non-British governor within the Financial institution of England’s 319-year historical past when he took excessive job on July 1, 2013. He served till March 15, 2020.
No Washington journey deliberate
Carney, a former central banker who turned 60 on Sunday, has mentioned he’s ready to meet with Trump if he exhibits respect for Canadian sovereignty. He mentioned he doesn’t plan to go to Washington in the meanwhile however hopes to have a telephone name with the president quickly. His authorities can be reviewing the purchase of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets in gentle of Trump’s commerce battle.
In the meantime, Macron has been ramping up efforts to steer France’s allies to maneuver away from purchases of American navy {hardware}, which dovetails with Canada’s rethink on F-35s and in addition coincides with mounting questions and issues in Europe that European defenses are overly depending on U.S. weaponry, technical help and goodwill.
Carney spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a name late Sunday and invited him to the G7 summit this summer season, which Canada is internet hosting. Trump mentioned he would converse to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as he pushes to finish the battle in Ukraine.
Carney is predicted to name an election by the tip of the week, to happen in late April or early Could. Canada’s governing Liberal Social gathering had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this 12 months till Trump declared financial battle. Now, the celebration and its new chief might come out on prime.
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Related Press writers John Leicester in Paris and Danica Kirka in London contributed this report.
