Macron, Carney meet in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to deepen Canada-Europe ties

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are set to meet on Sunday in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, a remote French archipelago in the North Atlantic, to deepen economic and security ties. The talks come as Canada looks to build closer links with Europe amid strains in its relationship with the United States.

The meeting follows Carney's recent support for the idea of Canada becoming the European Union's first associate member, saying stronger ties with Europe would ensure that no country could control Canada's markets or weaken its sovereignty. It also comes after US President Donald Trump's tariffs, demands for economic concessions and repeated remarks about making Canada the 51st state pushed Ottawa to reduce its dependence on its neighbour and pursue closer economic, security and political ties with Europe.

"This is an important moment," Macron said on Saturday after arriving in the French territory off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada. Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon has a population of about 5,800. Talks "will allow us ... to strengthen our bilateral economic ties and defence relationship," Macron said.

Macron also said Sunday's talks were part of wider efforts by France to secure oil and gas supplies as the war with Iran disrupts global energy markets and raises concerns about higher prices for fuel and other essentials. "Canada is a country with significant resources of critical minerals and rare earths. It is also a major oil and natural gas producer," Macron said. "What we want to do is conclude agreements to secure more liquefied natural gas that can be shipped to Europe's Atlantic coast."

Carney's office said the two leaders would discuss strengthening the Canada-France partnership in strategic sectors, including aerospace, energy, critical minerals and advanced technologies such as quantum computing, satellites and supercomputing.

The meeting also follows Trump's announcement of a deal on Greenland that would expand the US military presence there while keeping the island under Danish control. The agreement came after months of threats by Trump to seize the semi-autonomous territory of a NATO ally. Macron welcomed the agreement on Saturday, saying, "Danish sovereignty is being respected, international law is being respected. Anything that helps ease tensions is a good thing."

Sunday's meeting is expected to focus on expanding Canada-France cooperation in trade, defence, energy and technology as both sides seek closer strategic ties.