World · North America · 10 hrs ago
French ambassador praises Carney’s approach to U.S. trade talks
France’s new ambassador to Canada, Hélène Farnaud-Defromont, praised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s handling of trade talks with the United States.
Carney halted the talks in August, saying the U.S. administration had added new demands at the last minute.
The ambassador called Canada’s response calm and determined, and said France wants to become one of Canada’s closest European allies.
She said the two countries could work more closely in areas such as defence, aerospace, energy, quantum technology and artificial intelligence.
France and Canada already have strong ties, but France has not ratified a trade deal between Canada and the European Union that has been in effect for almost a decade.
Canada and the EU are due to hold a bilateral summit later this month, where observers hope details will emerge about a proposed new partnership.
The ambassador said practical results matter more than what the partnership is called.
France’s ambassador to Canada says France admires Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approach to trade talks with the United States.
Hélène Farnaud-Defromont described Canada’s response to U.S. demands as calm and determined.
She said France wants to strengthen its strategic ties with Canada across sectors including aerospace, defence, energy and artificial intelligence.
Carney halted trade talks with Washington in August after accusing the Trump administration of making new demands at the last minute.
Canada and the European Union are due to hold a bilateral summit later this month.
- Who
- French Ambassador to Canada Hélène Farnaud-Defromont praised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approach.
- What
- France said it admires Canada’s response to U.S. trade demands and wants to deepen strategic ties with Canada.
- When
- Farnaud-Defromont spoke in an interview published October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Ottawa, Canada.
- Why
- France considers Canada an important partner amid global uncertainty and wants to expand cooperation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The stance, which is both very calm and very determined, by Canadian leaders in the face of demands from the U.S. that are, after all, extremely radical is really an attitude that commands admiration in Europe and … in France in particular
My mission is very clear. It’s to work toward making France one of Canada’s closest allies in Europe, in each field, in every sector
a very important and preferred partner
We, France and the French people, really want to present ourselves as sincere, reliable and steadfast partners, at the heart of these international uncertainties
Carney halted trade talks with Washington and accused the Trump administration of bringing fresh demands to the table at the last minute.
Farnaud-Defromont’s posting as France’s ambassador to Canada began.
Farnaud-Defromont spoke to The Canadian Press in her first interview since her posting began.
Canada and the European Union are scheduled to hold a bilateral summit.
- Ambassador
- Hélène Farnaud-Defromont
- Canadian prime minister
- Mark Carney
- Trade talks halted
- August
- U.S. tariff on many European goods
- 15 per cent
- Upcoming meeting
- Canada-EU bilateral summit later this month
Sources
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