- On September 20, 2026, in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French territory off the coast of Canada, the leaders of France and Canada met, and although Donald Trump's name was never mentioned, the gesture was clearly a response to his provocations.
- Canadian leader Carney delivered a statement in both French and English, saying: "History remembers those who act. Those who defend sovereignty. Those who remain faithful to their values."
- The statement referenced the past – the choice of Saint Pierre and Miquelon in 1941 to join Free France rather than the Vichy regime – and the present.
- In an era of "breakdown" of the postwar world order, with "new storms," Canada is choosing Europe and France, affirmed the Canadian leader.
- By repeatedly insulting allies and threatening sovereignty, Trump paved the way for a tactical – and for now, symbolic – rapprochement between France and Canada, putting the small French islands in the spotlight.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Saint Pierre and Miquelon on September 20, pledging to enhance bilateral relations in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's provocations. The leaders emphasized the importance of sovereignty and shared values.
Carney remarked, "History remembers those who act. Those who defend sovereignty. Those who remain faithful to their values. It is on these foundations that nations – and friendships that stand the test of time – are built." This statement referenced the historical choice of the islands' residents in 1941 to support Free France over the Vichy regime.
The meeting highlighted a growing tactical rapprochement between Canada and France, driven by Trump's repeated insults to allies and threats to their sovereignty. Carney noted, “In this era marked by a breakdown of the postwar world order, when our societies have been shaken by new storms, by the upheavals caused by climate change, the erosion of democratic norms and new threats to our sovereignty, Canada is choosing Europe and France.” The leaders' discussions underscored a commitment to defend democratic values and sovereignty in a changing global landscape.
The small French islands in the North Atlantic became a focal point for this diplomatic gesture, symbolizing a united front against external pressures.
“The meeting took place on September 20 in the French territory, a symbolic gesture echoing the islands' 1941 choice to join Free France over Vichy. Carney framed the alliance as a response to 'new storms' from climate change, eroded democratic norms, and sovereignty threats.”
Le Monde.fr
