As he began a transatlantic journey on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that his nation was looking to strengthen its connections with “reliable” European friends after the United States, its southern neighbor, threatened his nation’s economy and even its sovereignty in a way never seen before.
Following President Donald Trump’s escalation of his rhetoric against Canada, Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England who succeeded Justin Trudeau last week, notably selected France and the United Kingdom, two major European countries, for his first international trips rather than the United States.
Describing Canada as the “most European of non-European countries”, Carney said his nation needed to boost ties with European allies like France while trying to retain positive relations with the United States.
“It is more important than ever for Canada to reinforce its ties with reliable allies like France,” Carney said during a press conference with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on his first trip abroad since becoming prime minister on Friday.
“I want to ensure that France and the whole of Europe works enthusiastically with Canada, the most European of non-European countries, determined like you to maintain the most positive possible relations with the United States,” Carney said.
A trade battle with Washington, Trump’s threats to seize his nation, and impending domestic elections are the three main challenges facing Carney.
A recession has been threatened by Trump’s increasing import duties on Canadian goods, and his contempt for Canadian sovereignty made the erstwhile ally uneasy.
Trump’s claim that Canada would be better off as the “51st state of the United States” is rejected by a sizable majority of Canadian voters, according to polls.
The economy of the 41 million-person nation, which has always had a tight relationship with the US, is at risk due to the trade war.
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