Canada's PM Mark Carney deepens ties with France and Ireland

Prime Minister Mark Carney made a six‑day European trip that combined a defence and intelligence pact with France and a trade‑focused visit to Ireland. In Paris he announced a new General Security of Information Agreement that will allow the exchange of classified data across defence, aerospace, artificial intelligence and space sectors, expanding Canada‑France industrial cooperation on critical minerals and emerging technologies.

In Dublin Carney met Taoiseach Micheál Martin, attended a welcoming ceremony at Dublin Castle and discussed a range of bilateral initiatives, including AI research, life‑science collaboration, food‑security cooperation and a framework for trade and investment. Both leaders stressed the need for Ireland to fully ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the EU, a step expected within weeks of the visit. The talks also highlighted Ireland’s upcoming EU Council presidency and Canada’s broader strategy to diversify away from the United States, aiming to double non‑US exports and promote middle‑power cooperation ahead of the G7 summit in Évian‑les‑Bains.

Carney’s remarks underlined the view that middle powers should combine rather than compete for U.S. favour, positioning Canada as a reliable European partner while seeking new markets for defence, AI and critical‑minerals supplies.