Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit Paris and London on Monday, seeking to strengthen alliances as he confronts escalating tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump over trade and sovereignty.

Carney’s First Foreign Visit Targets Historic Allies
Carney's decision to visit France and the United Kingdom first underscores Canada’s historical ties with both nations. At his swearing-in ceremony on Friday, Carney emphasized Canada’s unique identity, rooted in French, English, and Indigenous heritage, asserting that the country will "never, ever, in any way shape or form, be part of the United States."

“The Trump factor is the reason for the trip. The Trump factor towers over everything else Carney must deal with,” said Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto.

In Paris, Carney will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a visit to London to discuss trade diversification and coordinated responses to Trump’s tariffs with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He will also meet King Charles III, who remains Canada’s head of state.

Confronting Trump's Tariffs and Sovereignty Threats
Trump’s recent imposition of sweeping 25% tariffs and his remarks about making Canada the 51st U.S. state have sparked outrage among Canadians, leading to boycotts of American goods. In response, Carney’s government is reassessing Canada’s purchase of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets.

While Carney has expressed willingness to meet with Trump under the condition of mutual respect, he currently has no plans to visit Washington but hopes to arrange a phone call with the U.S. president.

“There’s no point in going to Washington,” said Robert Bothwell, a professor of Canadian history at the University of Toronto. “As (former Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau’s treatment shows, all that results in is a crude attempt by Trump to humiliate his guests.”

Trade Diversification and Arctic Sovereignty
Beyond trade tensions, Carney's European visit is part of a broader strategy to reduce Canada’s reliance on the U.S., which currently accounts for over 75% of its exports.

Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University, emphasized the urgency of diversification. "It is absolutely essential that Canada expands its trade partnerships amidst the ongoing trade war with the U.S.," he said.

Following his European meetings, Carney will travel to the Arctic to reaffirm Canada's sovereignty over the region, a move prompted by Trump's remarks on Greenland and growing cooperation between the U.S. and Russia in the Arctic.

Political Implications of the U.S.-Canada Rift
The ongoing U.S.-Canada tensions could significantly impact Canada's political landscape. The governing Liberal Party, which had been facing a potential electoral defeat, now appears to have regained momentum as public frustration over Trump’s policies grows.

Carney is expected to call a general election soon after returning to Ottawa, betting that his firm stance against Trump’s economic aggression will rally Canadian voters behind him.