Allied relations with Europe helped Canada promote trade diversification, open the door to cooperation and coordinate in dealing with tariff measures of the US President Donald Trump's administration.
Immediately after taking office as Canada's 24th prime minister and appointing a new cabinet, Prime Minister Carney chose European powers France and the UK as destinations for his first foreign trip, instead of the US.
In a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, Prime Minister Carney described Canada as a non-European country with the closest ties to Europe. Canada needs to strengthen its ties with "reliable allies" like France, and this is more important than ever for Canada.
French President Macron stressed that Canada is a good example of a country that defends its national interests while collaborating on the global scene.
Both sides believed that fair trade which respects international rules was good for everyone's prosperity, and more effective than tariffs.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to work towards strengthening bilateral relations in the context of complicated relations with the US.
According to the announcement of the British Prime Minister's Office, at the meeting between the two leaders of the UK and Canada, Prime Minister Starmer emphasised that the UK and Canada were the closest and most intimate allies and partners. The two leaders agreed that the partnership between the two countries was based on history, shared values and membership in the Commonwealth.
According to analysts, Canada could provide European countries access to strategic resources, such as rare earths and fossil fuels, by strengthening relations with Europe. Meanwhile, Canada can benefit from access to Europe's large and skilled labour market, while reducing its dependence on the US.
Canada's push to diversify its trade is necessary in the context of increasing tensions with the United States, as more than 75% of Canada's exports go to the US.
Tensions between the two countries escalated when President Trump announced a 25% tariff on Canadian aluminium and steel while threatening to impose a 25% punitive tariff on most imports and a 10% tariff on energy and minerals from Canada from April 2.
New Canadian Prime Minister Carney expressed a tough stance on the above-mentioned US trade policies. He emphasised that Canada was facing a crisis when its closest ally, the US, launched a "trade war".
Canada will not give in and maintain retaliatory tariffs until the US "can join us in making credible and reliable commitments to free and fair trade.".
Prime Minister Carney also requested a review of the plan to buy a fleet of US-made F-35 fighter jets, assessing whether this contract is the best investment for Canada, or is there a better option? Canada needs to ensure that the above contract serves the best interests of the people and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Analysts pointed out that while the Canada-US relationship is in a "bad situation", Canada's strengthening cooperation with its allies in Europe is not only necessary at present, but also strategic. Prime Minister Carney vowed to create new trade relationships with "reliable partners".
Across the Atlantic, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also named Canada as a "like-minded ally" to cooperate with in the current complex geopolitical context.
With the risk of a trade war with the US increasing, closer ties between Canada and Europe are said to help both sides coordinate to reduce the impact of the transatlantic crisis while deepening the strategic alliance.
