Mark Carney heads to France, U.K. and signals he wants a call with Trump

OTTAWA — Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. says Prime Minister Mark Carney is looking to set up a conversation with President Donald Trump “as soon as possible.”

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday morning, Ambassador Kirsten Hillman said the Canadian side has reached out to the U.S. since Carney was sworn in as prime minister on Friday and was “looking forward” to connecting with Trump.

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She says Carney is seeking to “forge a good and solid relationship” with the president and that he “respects” what Trump is trying to do when it comes to enhancing the U.S. economy, but noted the prime minister wants to do the same for Canada.

Hillman sidestepped a question on whether she believes there is anything Canada can do to avoid the reciprocal tariffs Trump is set to impose on other countries, noting a meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week made clear that Canada will be affected starting April 2.

Carney is set to depart for his first foreign trip today, visiting France and the U.K., with an additional stop in Iqaluit, Nvt. He will return on Tuesday.

The aim of the trip is to strengthen ties with France and the U.K. and reaffirm Canada’s Arctic sovereignty.

Carney is expected to talk about security and economic and trade ties while in Europe, where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Carney will also meet with King Charles while in the U.K.

Carney has said he does not yet plan to visit the U.S.

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