OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on a trip to Europe on Thursday, visiting both Ireland and France for the upcoming G7 summit. The summit is scheduled to take place from June 15 to June 17 in Evian-les-Bains, with a primary focus on addressing global inequalities, as stated by the French government.
The G7 summit experienced a one-day delay following an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating that the White House would be hosting a mixed martial arts (UFC) fight on June 14, coinciding with Flag Day in the United States and Trump’s 80th birthday. Fen Osler Hampson, an international affairs professor at Carleton University, remarked to The Canadian Press that managing Trump will be a critical issue during the summit. He emphasized that the most significant discussions are likely to occur among the remaining G6 leaders when Trump is not present, as they grapple with a leader who is known for being irascible and unpredictable.
The official agenda for the summit is expected to cover various key issues, although Hampson suggests these may not fully represent the most pressing topics of discussion. Geopolitical crises, including the support for Ukraine, the online protection of children, crime, and the evolving rules of global governance, are among the priorities highlighted by the French government. Additional issues likely to be addressed include the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, energy security, and tensions surrounding U.S. tariffs.
Canada previously hosted the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in 2025, where Trump departed a day early due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The G7 comprises Canada, France, the United States, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy. The European Union also participates in discussions, although it is not counted among the group’s name. Prior to the summit, Carney will make stops in both Paris and Dublin, Ireland.
According to a news release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss enhancing ties in various sectors, including defence, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and critical minerals. Ireland, which has emerged as a significant hub for foreign investment, is prepared to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union in July.
This visit marks the first official trip by a Canadian prime minister to Ireland in nearly a decade. During his time in Ireland, Carney will meet with the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, and Irish President Catherine Connolly to discuss deepening cultural and trade connections between the two nations. Following a previous meeting in Ottawa with 150 Irish business leaders, discussions centered on fostering economic opportunities, innovation, investment, and growth across various sectors.
Trade relations between Canada and Ireland reached a notable $6 billion in merchandise in 2025, with Canadian exports to Ireland totaling $1.1 billion, primarily consisting of cereals. Conversely, imports from Ireland amounted to $4.9 billion, dominated by pharmaceutical products. These trade interactions are supported by the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which, while provisionally applied, has not been ratified by several member states, including Ireland.
During a previous meeting in Ottawa in September, Taoiseach Martin expressed Ireland's intention to ratify the CETA deal. A joint statement released from the leaders underscored the significance of Ireland’s complete ratification of the agreement by 2026. Reports from The Irish Times indicated that the Irish government is moving to approve new legislation aimed at expediting the ratification process, thereby reducing the country’s reliance on the United States.
In Canada, there are approximately 4.5 million individuals of Irish descent, making up nearly 15% of the Canadian population. Prime Minister Mark Carney has personal ties to Ireland, as his grandparents immigrated from County Mayo in the early 1920s.
