France’s Macron, Canada’s Carney announce closer ties

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared closer ties between their nations on Sunday, speaking from Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a tiny French territory off Canada's Atlantic coast. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to preserving their countries' sovereignty and independence, particularly in light of strained relations with the United States.

Macron and Carney honored islanders who served in the Free French forces during World War II before announcing plans to strengthen cooperation in areas such as fishing, security, and energy. Carney proposed a joint effort on artificial intelligence involving France, Canada, the United States, and China. The visit comes at a time when both countries are experiencing tensions with the US, with Trump's comments about potentially annexing Canada drawing strong rebukes from Ottawa.

The symbolic meeting underscores the shared values of freedom, democracy, and strategic autonomy that bind Canada and France, as well as their desire to bolster their relationship within the context of a changing global landscape.