French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Saint‑Pierre and Miquelon, the first such visit by a French president since 2014 and by a Canadian prime minister. The trip came weeks after former U.S. President Donald Trump posted an image of the islands, along with Canada and other North American countries, under a U.S. flag.
During the visit the leaders pledged to deepen ties to confront rising geopolitical tensions, climate change and the erosion of democratic values. Carney said societies were shaken by climate upheavals, democratic norm erosion and sovereignty threats, and that it was time to strengthen cooperation. Macron agreed, pointing to collaboration in space, climate and energy.
Macron emphasized shared commitments to democracy, the rule of law, free trade, science‑based policy and strategic autonomy. He dismissed Trump’s implication that the territories could not be French, noting the symbolic weight of the U.S. post. Saint‑Pierre and Miquelon’s location near the U.S. and the Arctic makes it strategically important for France, especially for energy cooperation.
The talks also covered Canada’s relationship with the EU. France supports the European Union’s proposal for Ottawa to become the bloc’s first associate member. Trump threatened tariffs and a trade halt, calling the proposal laughable. However, deeper integration faces hurdles; the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement remains unratified by several EU members, including France.
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