Carney to leverage G7 meeting to strengthen Canada's ties with Europe

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney embarks on a crucial European tour this week, visiting France and Ireland to deepen his nation's economic, technological, and security partnerships. The trip, extending until June 17, is strategically timed as Canada seeks to diversify its international alliances amidst ongoing trade tensions with the United States and global economic uncertainties exacerbated by the war in Iran. In Paris, Carney will engage in high-level discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. Their agenda includes bolstering bilateral cooperation in key strategic sectors such as defense, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, critical minerals, and the aerospace industry. The leaders will also explore new avenues for investment and trade, and align their strategies ahead of the upcoming G7 summit. Bilateral trade between Canada and France has seen significant growth, reaching C$15.2 billion in 2025. Canada's exports constituted about 33% of this total, with imports from France making up the remaining 67%. Following his visit to France, Carney will travel to Ireland for a historic bilateral visit, the first by a Canadian head of government in nearly a decade. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Micheál Martin and President Catherine Connolly in County Mayo, a region with ancestral ties to Carney's family. Canada views Ireland as a vital gateway to the European market, presenting opportunities for collaboration in agri-food, digital innovation, AI, pharmaceuticals, and climate technologies. Bilateral trade with Ireland reached C$6 billion in 2025, with Canada primarily exporting grains and importing pharmaceuticals. "Ireland and France are two of Canada's closest and most enduring partners," Carney stated before his departure. "In an increasingly uncertain world, we are deepening these ties to build greater certainty, security, and prosperity for Canadians and our partners around the globe."

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Ireland and France are two of Canada's closest and most enduring partners. In an increasingly uncertain world, we are deepening these ties to build greater certainty, security, and prosperity for Canadians and our partners around the globe.