On his first trip abroad as a Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney went on a tornado tour in France and Britain on Monday to present Canada’s deep European bonds, as President Trump threatens his country’s economy and sovereignty.
Just three days after swearing in office, Mr Carney had lunch with President Emmanuel Macron of France in Paris, before heading to London, where he had an audience with King Charles III, the ruler of Canada and also met with Prime Minister Keir.
“I want to ensure that France and the whole of Europe are working with enthusiasm with Canada, the most European non -European countries, determined to maintain the most positive possible relations with the United States,” Mr Carney told the press with Mr Macron in the Palace of élysée.
Mr Trump has imposed invoices on Canadian goods and threatens even more contributions, releasing pain in the Canadian economy, which is deeply incorporated with that of the United States, especially through free marketing agreement, along with Mexico. Canada has been opposed to his own invoices for American goods.
But Mr Trump has also repeatedly stated that Canada should become a US state and suggested that he wants to abolish the treaty borders between the two nations.
The threatening stance by Mr Trump has outraged the Canadians and gave Mr Carney a boost that landed him at the helm of his party and his country.
His trip to Europe did not make specific new commitments, but it was an opportunity for Mr Carney to promote two goals: to reach key allies in Europe, showing that Canada has more friends from the United States and to present its Barrels on the World Stage.
Mr Carney was elected leader of the Canadian Liberal Party on March 9 and was sworn in as prime minister on Friday.
He is expected to invite elections as early as this week. He is not an elected member of the Canadian Parliament and his party is exploiting a minority government, putting pressure to seek the order to rule.
At home in the world
A career banker who served in two high-profile-bodies of the Bank of Canada and then from the Bank of England-Mr Carney runs to Canada amid existential threats by his nearest ally, neighbor and commercial partner,
In this scene, his European journey played in his strengths at a time when many Canadians long for seeing their allies grow up for them.
Mr Macron greeted Mr Carney as an old friend, reinforcing his image as someone who is at home on the world stage, familiar with his leaders and problems, at a time of geopolitical and economic turmoil due to the revision of his alliances and politicians.
“Since we have known each other for many years, I know that we are taking a man who loves his country, who is committed to his country,” Mr Macron said.
France and Britain are fundamental in Canada, having led its settlement from Europeans centuries ago.
Mr Carney’s personal bonds with Britain are running deep. His wife is British and studied at the University of Oxford. In 2013 he became the first alien to ever chose the Governor of the Bank of England and acquired British citizenship in 2018. He has moved to resign from his British citizenship and the Irish nationality he holds through origin, because of his position as prime minister.
His political opponents tried to paint him as a globalized with little actual attachment to serve his home country.
Actual control
Despite the symbolism of Mr Carney’s welcome on his fast European tour, the reality is that Canada’s relationship with the United States is inevitable and irreplaceable.
The United States is Canada’s leading trading partner. About 80 % of Canadian exports go to the United States and the volume of trade between the two nations is almost a trillion dollars.
On the contrary, last year, the trade between Canada and Britain is worth about $ 61 billion Canadian dollars ($ 43 billion). Canada’s trade with the European Union as a block was more important, increasing to over $ 100 billion last year, making Canada’s second largest trading partner.
On Monday night, Mr Carney said the invoice and the compensatory pattern were not viable and expressed interest in having serious negotiations with the United States.
“What we are looking for in relation to the United States is to have a more comprehensive debate on negotiating our overall commercial and security,” Mr Carney told The News Media in London, adding that there were limits on retaliation invoices that could impose in the United States.
Press to respond to Mr Trump’s rhetoric for Canada’s annexation, Mr Carney said it was “inconceivable” that the United States would make such a move in Canada. “Let me declare the obvious, both of them are NATO members,” he added.
