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Carney and Macron pledge closer France-Canada ties on Trump-claimed island in direct snub to US

From the Newshound archive · first published 20 September 2026 · last updated 21 September 2026.

Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney, meeting on France's only remaining North American territory, are expected to discuss energy, defence ties and Canada's bid to become the EU's first associate member.
Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney, meeting on France's only remaining North American territory, are expected to discuss energy, defence ties and Canada's bid to become the EU's first associate member.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron have deepened a strategic partnership covering defence, space, energy and trade, meeting in the French Atlantic territory of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon — the same islands Trump weeks ago showed covered by the American flag. Carney declared there is now "a price to be paid" for US market access and backed Canada becoming the EU's first associate member. Macron called the visit a "historic moment" and backed Canada's EU ambitions, vowing both nations would defend their sovereignty and freedom to decide.

Trump's repeated threats to annex Canada and sweeping tariffs have driven Ottawa to urgently reduce its dependence on the US in favour of European ties.

Carney told the European Parliament last Thursday that nations need enough economic strength to prevent any single power from dictating their choices.

Macron used the visit — his first to the territory since 2014 — to assert French sovereignty after Trump posted a map showing the islands covered by the US flag.

MoreThe GuardianMacron and Carney announce closer France-Canada ties amid Trump tensionsAPTrump shattered Canada’s old US relationship. Carney is building a new one in EuropeAPMacron backs Canada as EU associate member as Carney turns toward EuropeReutersMacron, Carney pledge closer ties in Atlantic island meeting
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