Canada's new prime minister Mark Carney will make his first official visit abroad today – in Paris and London, with the aim of strengthening its alliances in Europe amid serious tensions between his country and the United States under Donald Trump, AFP reported, quoted by BTA.
This visit aims to “strengthen our trade and military ties with two of our most stable and reliable partners“, Carney said in a statement released over the weekend, while the threats made by the American president have dominated Canadian political life for weeks.
Canada, with a population of 41 million people, is experiencing an unprecedented crisis in its history: Donald Trump has started a trade war with it and has repeatedly said that he wants Canada to become “the 51st American state“.
The Canadian prime minister, who succeeded Justin Trudeau on Friday, will first meet Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace for a working lunch, the French presidency.
The two leaders will emphasize their “commitment to building stronger economic, trade and defense ties“, the Canadian communiqué emphasizes.
Carney and Macron will also discuss “Russia's military aggression against Ukraine“ and “key projects within the framework of the strategic partnership“ between the two countries, the Elysee Palace specifies.
Mark Carney, who in 2013 became the first non-British to head the Bank of England, will then travel to London, where he will meet with his British counterpart Keir Starmer.
The two will discuss “strengthening transatlantic security, the development of the artificial intelligence sector and stable trade relations“ between the two countries, the statement said.
The United Kingdom is Canada's third largest trading partner for goods and services, with bilateral trade estimated at 61 billion Canadian dollars (40 billion euros).
An audience with King Charles III, who is also the head of state of Canada, is also planned.