Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Paris today for a high-level meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron as world leaders prepare for next week’s G7 Summit in France.
The meeting is being viewed as a symbolic handover of the G7 presidency from Canada to France, while also providing an opportunity for the two leaders to deepen bilateral ties and coordinate on key international priorities. Carney and Macron are scheduled to meet at the Élysée Palace before delivering joint statements to the media.
The Prime Minister will also hold a separate news conference and attend an official dinner hosted by Macron.
According to former G7 sherpa Senator Peter Boehm, the pre-summit discussions will allow the leaders to align their positions on major global issues ahead of the gathering in Évian-les-Bains. Boehm said Carney is expected to showcase a pragmatic diplomatic approach, building on the international attention generated by his remarks at the World Economic Forum earlier this year.
During his Davos address, Carney argued that growing geopolitical rivalry and rising protectionism are reshaping the global order, emphasizing Canada’s efforts to diversify trade beyond the United States.
The Paris meeting may be among the final major bilateral engagements between the two leaders, as Macron’s second and final presidential term concludes in May 2027. The upcoming summit will also mark Macron’s tenth and final G7 gathering as French president.
France has identified several priorities for its G7 presidency, including support for Ukraine, addressing global security challenges, combating crime, and strengthening online protections for children.
Those priorities closely align with developments in Canada, where the federal government recently introduced new online safety legislation. The proposed law would require social media platforms to restrict access for users under 16 unless companies can demonstrate adequate safety measures. The legislation would also establish new responsibilities for artificial intelligence companies to reduce harmful content and implement safeguards in cases involving self-harm, suicide, or violence.
Macron publicly welcomed Canada’s proposed measures on social media Thursday, praising Ottawa for joining international efforts to enhance online safety for young people.
Looking ahead to the summit, officials suggest leaders may issue a series of targeted declarations rather than a single comprehensive communiqué. Analysts say the approach reflects growing challenges in achieving consensus among G7 members, particularly amid differing positions held by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Artificial intelligence, the global economy, international security, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are expected to dominate discussions. The future of global development assistance is also likely to be debated following significant reductions to the U.S. Agency for International Development under the Trump administration.
France remains one of Canada’s most important economic partners, ranking as Canada’s third-largest export destination within the European Union and the country’s fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment.
