Canada's Carney makes a statement by choosing Europe, rather than the US

Canada's Carney makes a statement by choosing Europe, rather than the US, for his first foreign trip.
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Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (right) and his wife Diana Fox Carney disembark from an aircraft marked 'Gouvernement Du Canada' alongside a red maple leaf at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Monday morning, under a clear blue sky. He is dressed in a dark suit and tie, while she wears a red shirt and black dress. Reuters
Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney arrived in Paris on Monday morning for the initial part of their visit.
Two European politicians, symbolically dressed in red and white, conveyed a message to Canada on social media last week, stating, "We've got your back."

Also showing support was King Charles, who planted a red maple tree on the grounds of Buckingham Palace and wore his Canadian medals during a notable visit to a naval warship.

As Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney embarks on his first foreign visit to Paris and London on Monday—just a day after his 60th birthday—he aims to secure more than just symbolic encouragement. He seeks substantial support from allies.

Canada is facing challenges similar to Europe, being targeted by a series of severe US tariffs, while Donald Trump has made it clear he intends to dominate his northern neighbor.

"We appreciate all the symbolic gestures, but we need more public backing," a Canadian official remarked, reflecting a shared sense of disbelief among most Canadians—Trump is not jesting when he refers to Canada as the United States's "51st state."
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The official messaging from Ottawa regarding Carney's trip, which begins on Monday, emphasizes his priorities—finance and enhancing security—a natural fit for the economist who led the central banks in both Canada and the UK. A statement from his office indicated that the visit aims "to strengthen two of our closest and longest-standing economic and security partnerships."

His itinerary is rich in symbolism as well.

Carney unveiled it on Friday during his inaugural speech as prime minister, nostalgically reflecting on the origins of this former colony. He praised "the wonder of a country built on the bedrock of three peoples: indigenous, French, and British."

Thus, there is a third destination on this brief tour—Iqaluit, the capital of Canada's northernmost territory of Nunavut and the homeland of its Inuit people. That stop, the statement highlighted, was to "reaffirm Canada's Arctic security and sovereignty."

Getty Images A road in Iqaluit shows several buildings, various cars on the road, numerous power poles, and light snow on the ground. Getty Images
Iqaluit, located in Nunavut, is a focal point for Arctic security.
The stunning Arctic and northern landscape comprises 40% of the landmass of the world's second-largest country. Safeguarding it is a crucial Canadian concern amid intensifying competition among global powers in the Arctic region, which includes the US, Russia, China, and others; it represents a significant geopolitical rivalry.

Additionally, there is a personal aspect. Carney was born in the small town of Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories, adjacent to Nunavut.

His agenda also indicates the need for him to quickly adapt to a new skill—retail politics. A federal election, which must occur by October, is expected to be called soon. Carney must demonstrate that he can engage with voters, in both English and French, as effortlessly as he does with bankers and finance executives.

Moreover, he needs a legitimate political mandate. He garnered an impressive 86% of the vote when his Liberal Party opted to replace Justin Trudeau, who stepped down as prime minister amid increasing pressure to resign from his own party after a decade in power.

However, Carney does not currently hold a seat in parliament; he has yet to earn the vote of Canadians.

His Liberal party recently underwent a dramatic turnaround, experiencing a "Trump bump" alongside a Trudeau one. A party that seemed destined for defeat is now tied with its main Conservative rivals in the polls.

Projecting the image of a world leader and grasping the complexities of tariffs and trade is advantageous while campaigning for high office amid an external threat.

"I believe part of the purpose of Mark Carney's trip to Europe is to demonstrate that he can engage internationally with other like-minded powers at this crucial moment," reflects prominent Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan.

Back home, voters will determine if that is what matters.

Carney is likely to discuss Trump's strategies privately with France's President Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Both leaders have made efforts to publicly flatter the US president while advocating their positions behind closed doors.

Many will observe how Trump addresses Mark Carney—he recently referred to Canada's former prime minister as "Governor Trudeau."

Watch: Trump and Macron's history of intense handshakes
Canada's new leading spokesperson has been adopting a tough stance.

A week ago, when Carney won his party's leadership contest, he referenced Canada's national sport, ice hockey, which has long been in rivalry with US teams. "Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves," Carney declared to enthusiastic applause.

"Make no mistake, Canada will win."

Yet everyone recognizes this is no game. Carney characterized this escalating trade conflict as "the greatest crisis of our lifetime." More than 80% of Canada's exports cross the border into the US.

While there have been some reports of Canadians displaying the US flag, a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute revealed that a striking 91% of Canadians oppose becoming the 51st state.

Canada expresses that it is too little, too late as Trump fluctuates on tariffs.
On Friday, in Ottawa's frigid weather, Carney adopted a warmer tone, emphasizing how he and Trump share a business background, including real estate.

"The president is a successful businessperson and dealmaker. We are his largest client in numerous industries," he remarked. "Clients expect respect and collaboration in a proper commercial manner."

Carney stated he "looks forward" to conversing with President Trump. However, the fact that it will be a phone call, not an in-person meeting, reflects the significance of this moment. Traditionally, a Canadian leader's first foreign visit is to the US—its closest neighbor and most trusted ally.

On Monday, Carney is expected to meet with King Charles, Canada's head of state. The British monarch recently expressed his "deepest affection" for Canada and is said to have already written a private letter to the new prime minister.

In his non-political capacity, publicly demonstrating affection may be the extent of the King's influence. Yet even that conveys a message to the American president.

Sir Keir has described Canada as "an ally, and a very important ally too." However, last week, the leader of Britain's Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, urged him to show greater public support for Canada in opposing the "shocking attacks" on its sovereignty.

This week may exemplify the old adage in diplomacy and politics— "to take action and be perceived as doing so."

Source @BBC

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