Carney visit stresses ties to 'reliable allies' in Europe as Trump and election loom

Canada is the "most European of the non-European countries", Mark Carney has said during his first overseas trip as prime minister to France and the UK, where he is seeking stronger alliances to deal with Donald Trump's attacks on his country's sovereignty and economy.

- Oliver Holmes

Without mentioning the US president by name, Carney and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, held a press conference in Paris to show a united stance against what they said were economic and geopolitical crises - a reference to Trump's trade war and "America first" diplomacy.

"Canada is a unique friend," Macron said, adding that fair trade was more effective than tariffs. Carney spoke in French and English, and said it was important for Canada to strengthen ties with "reliable allies".

"I want to ensure that France and the whole of Europe work enthusiastically with Canada, the most European of non-European countries, determined like you to maintain the most positive possible relations with the US," he said.

A senior Canadian government official who briefed reporters on Carney's plane said the purpose of the trip was to strengthen partnerships with Canada's two founding countries. The official said Canada was a "good friend of the United States but we all know what is going on".