Carney’s pivot to Europe takes him to French islands off Newfoundland

Carney’s pivot to Europe takes him to French islands off Newfoundland STEVEN CHASE SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 UPDATED YESTERDAY Open this photo in gallery: An airplane prepares to land in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon on Friday. During his brief visit to the French territory, Prime Minister Mark Carney will discuss deepening the Canada-France partnership with President Emmanuel Macron. LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. As part of his Canadian pivot to Europe, Mark Carney will join President Emmanuel Macron on a small French territory off the coast of Newfoundland this weekend – a show of solidarity in the face of Donald Trump’s efforts to impose his will on North America. Mr. Carney’s Sunday trip to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon will be the first time a Canadian prime minister makes an official visit to the small archipelago of 5,800 French citizens, according to the French government. Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau made a personal visit here in 1971. It will take place only a few days after the Canadian leader was offered “associate membership” in the European Union economic bloc, a sign of a warm reception as Mr. Carney seeks deeper ties with non-American allies amid rising protectionism in Washington. The Élysée Palace said earlier this week that this Carney-Macron meet-up will reaffirm the “sovereignty of nations.” It follows a Sept. 7 social-media post by Mr. Trump that displayed a map of North America emblazoned with an American flag – including territory of other countries in the region. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 25 kilometres off the coast of Newfoundland, may be a small French outpost but it’s also part of North America. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada welcomes the ambition to become the European Union's first associate member, though what exactly that would entail still needs to be defined. THE CANADIAN PRESS Mr. Trump has talked of acquiring Greenland and Canada – through economic coercion – as well as the Panama Canal and has belittled Mr. Carney as governor of the “51st state.” His Sept. 7 post, however, painted the U.S. flag over even more territory than before, including Mexico and parts of the Caribbean. Mr. Carney has generally pushed back against Mr. Trump alone. But his meeting with Mr. Macron offers Canada a partner in this exercise: a European leader…