March 17 (UPI) — Mark Carney, Canada’s new prime minister, chose to meet political leaders from Europe rather than U.S. President Trump in his first foreign trip on Monday.
Carney, who took office Friday, was greeted warmly first in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron and then in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Earlier at Buckingham Palace in London, Carney met with King Charles III, who is the head of state for Britain and Canada. In 1982, Canada adopted its own constitution and became an independent country although it’s still part of the British Commonwealth
“There’s much to catch up on,” King Charles said publicly ahead of their private 30-minute conversation. “These are important matters.”
Starmer said the two nations had “so much in common — shared history, shared values, shared King.”
During a joint news conference at Elysee Palace, Carney told Macron that Canada is “the most European of non-European countries” and promised his nation will be a “reliable, trustworthy and strong partner” to Paris.
In return, Macron praised Canada for standing “side-by-side” with Europe.
“We’re welcoming a friend, and we’re receiving you with a lot of joy,” Macron said.
Canada is now on unfriendly terms with the United States.
Since taking office for the second time on Jan. 20, Trump has placed tariffs on the United States’ northern neighbor and wants to annex the nation as a 51st state.
Trump has referred to Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, as “governor.”
After meeting with King Charles, Carney said Trump’s hopes are “unthinkable” and “disrespectful.”
Carney, who is a businessman and has never held public office before, said that idea needs to be put to rest “before we sit down and have a conversation about our broader partnership.”
There was no official mention of any upcoming meetings with Trump, but Carney did vow to work with the United States in the future after being sworn in Friday.
Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman did post to X on Sunday that Canada is “America’s largest customer, supporting millions of American jobs.”
“As we strengthen our own economy, we look forward to a productive conversation with the U.S.,” she added.
The leader of the Liberal Party has yet to face voters during a federal election, which must be held by October, signifying that he is also working to establish himself domestically.
Carney served as governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.
Carney also spoke Sunday with European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss such economic matters while connecting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about defense matters.
“Canada supports the proposal for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine,” Carney said in a post on X, “Now, Russia must stop stalling and launching its attacks. It’s time for Russia to come to the table in good faith.”
This is coming amid uncertain U.S. military support.
At 10 Downing Street in London, Carney said he had invited Zelensky to the G7 summit to be hosted by Canada in Alberta from June.
“In the midst of a crisis one must act,” Carney told Macron. “Unfortunately, we are in the middle of an economic and geopolitical crisis. But when you take action you have to have values: sovereignty, solidarity, dynamism and sustainability. These values are close to our hearts.”
Canada, Britain and France took part in a virtual meeting of world leaders hosted by Starmer on Saturday. The “coalition of the willing” had about 25 nations, including Australia, New Zealand as well as European nations. The United States didn’t participate.
Ukraine’s allies have agreed to “put collective pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a legitimate cease-fire proposal.
Carney told Starmer: “We’re at a point in history where the world is being reordered, and your leadership, the leadership of the UK, I’ll use the example … of Ukraine, what you’ve been able to do with President Macron to bring together a coalition of the willing at a crucial time, I think, will be decisive, must be decisive, in coming to a lasting solution there.”
He will return to Canada on Tuesday to Iqaluit, capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, in a move to “reassert Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic,” while “advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis throughout the country.”
Carney celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday in Montreal, only two days after officially becoming prime minister on Friday, and while photos showed him smiling and shaking hands there, he also spent part of the day discussing national affairs with Quebec Premier François Legault, about cutting the number of temporary immigrants to Quebec and improving trade with the European Union while preparing for future negotiations with the United States.
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