Canada and France Agree to Deepen Defense Cooperation

Reference News Network reported on June 15 According to a report by Bloomberg News on June 13, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to deepen defense and industrial cooperation and facilitate the exchange of classified information. With current fluctuations in U.S. trade policy, Canada is seeking to strengthen ties with Europe.

Carney stated before the talks held in Paris that the two countries signed an agreement to share classified information in the fields of defense, space, artificial intelligence, and aerospace.

He said, “Through cooperation, Canada, France, and Europe are expected to become a powerful force for justice in the coming century.”

Carney will attend the G7 summit in the French Alps, but he arrived early to meet with Macron. Afterward, Carney will travel to Ireland for a two-day visit—part of his ongoing efforts to regularly visit Europe, highlighting his strategy to build alliances with middle powers.

He outlined this policy in his speech at Davos in January, aimed at countering geopolitical powers while boosting the Canadian economy.

Macron stated that France is a key bridge between Canada and Europe.

Macron said, “Our understanding of the world is more aligned than ever. We see that the international order is fragmented, characterized by a resurgence of power politics, challenges to established rules, as well as economic coercion, interference, and information warfare.”

Strengthening ties with Europe has become a central theme of Carney's policy agenda. His artificial intelligence strategy calls for the establishment of a “coalition of like-minded democracies” to counter dominant players, and artificial intelligence will also be a key topic of discussion with Macron.

In defense and energy, this shift is already clear. Canada is increasing military spending, joining the EU's “European Security Action” procurement program, and considering the purchase of European fighter jets and submarines. Meanwhile, with the advancement of new export projects, the German utility sector is expected to become one of the first buyers of Canadian liquefied natural gas.

Roland Paris, a professor at the University of Ottawa and a former advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said, “Europe is Carney's comfort zone. Observing his travel patterns makes this very clear. Europe is central to his efforts to diversify Canada's trade relations beyond the U.S. and to establish new industrial and technological partnerships.”

However, Carney is also trying to sit down at the negotiating table with President Donald Trump, which requires a delicate balance. He is considering abandoning the purchase of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets in favor of Sweden's Gripen fighter jets, a move that could provoke retaliation. With the G7 summit approaching, both European allies and Trump will be present, and Canada needs to exercise subtle balancing.

Paris said that given the geographical proximity, the extent to which Canada can reduce its dependence on the U.S. is clearly limited. However, he believes that Carney is positioning Canada in Europe to lay the groundwork for a lasting alliance after the Trump era.

Paris said, “This is a long-term bet that Europe will become a reliable partner in helping Canada achieve its economic and security goals, while also acknowledging that the U.S. will remain Canada’s closest trading partner and ally.” (Translated by Qing Songzhu)