Macron, Carney vow stronger France-Canada ties amid US tensions

France and Canada have pledged to deepen their partnership as they seek to address rising geopolitical tensions, climate change, threats to sovereignty and the erosion of democratic values.

The commitment came after French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met on Sunday in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a French territory off Canada's Atlantic coast.

The visit carried symbolic significance as it came weeks after US President Donald Trump shared an image depicting the US flag over a map covering Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and the French territories of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

"Our societies are being shaken by new storms: the upheavals, caused by climate change, the erosion of democratic norms, and new threats to our sovereignty. The time has come to strengthen our ties," Carney said alongside Macron.

Macron said France and Canada had agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including space, climate and energy. He also highlighted their shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, international law, free and fair trade, science and strategic autonomy.SYMBOLIC VISIT AMID US-CANADA TENSIONS

Macron's visit was the first by a French president to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon since 2014, while Carney became the first Canadian prime minister to visit the territory.

The meeting came as Canada seeks closer ties with the European Union amid an increasingly strained trade relationship with the United States.

Asked about Trump's social media post, Macron dismissed suggestions that Saint-Pierre and Miquelon could be anything other than French territory.

For France, the islands have strategic importance because of their location near North America and the Arctic. They also play a role in France's cooperation with Canada, particularly on energy.ENERGY AND EU TIES ON AGENDA

Macron said the talks could pave the way for concrete bilateral agreements, including on energy. France is encouraging Canada to increase its liquefied natural gas exports to Europe rather than focusing primarily on Asian markets.

"Canadian liquefied natural gas projects can help. They are important for Europe," Macron said.

The leaders also discussed Canada's relationship with the European Union after the bloc opened the possibility of Ottawa becoming its first associate member. Macron said France supported the move.

However, deeper Canada-EU integration could face challenges. More than a decade after the EU and Canada agreed on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, several EU member states, including France, have yet to fully ratify the pact.- EndsPublished By: Zafar ZaidiPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 01:54 IST