Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, will begin his historic trip to Saint Pierre and Miquelon on Sunday. This trip marks the first visit by a Canadian Prime Minister to this small French territory in the North Atlantic. Carney will meet with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, to discuss various collaborations including artificial intelligence, energy, and defense.
A trip to a remote territory
Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located just a few kilometers off the southern coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, has a population of less than 6,000 and is the destination of this trip. Before this journey, Carney will also attend a speech by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, in Strasbourg, and then travel to Liverpool to meet with Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Shifting Canada's foreign policy
Carney's trip to Saint Pierre and Miquelon signifies a shift in Canada's foreign policy towards Europe. This change is particularly felt in the wake of the trade war between Canada and the United States, in which both sides have imposed reciprocal tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods. Stéphane Lenormand, the independent representative of France in Parliament, has noted that this trip could be an opportunity to strengthen France's strategic geographical position in future negotiations.
Carney has recently expressed his desire to create a "unique coalition" with the European Union, and reports have emerged suggesting he proposed that Canada become an "associate member" of the EU. Additionally, the Prime Minister's Office of Canada has referred to the "unique partnership" between France and Canada in a statement released for this trip.
Existing challenges in cooperation
However, there are still challenges in this partnership, particularly regarding fishing rights in Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Fishermen on both sides of the maritime border between France and Canada have been at odds for years over access to halibut in the shared waters between Newfoundland and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. An agreement set for 2024 imposes restrictions on French fishermen, which could impact future negotiations.
Carney and Macron hope to establish closer ties through new collaborations while also addressing existing challenges during this trip. According to Lenormand, global conditions and recent changes could give France an advantage in future negotiations.
