Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that his country should reduce its dependence on the United States and will instead turn to its "reliable" European allies during his first trip abroad, AFP reports.

Carney's transatlantic visit to British leader Keir Starmer and France's Emmanuel Macron came after US President Donald Trump suggested his country should become part of the United States and threatened its economy.

After succeeding Justin Trudeau last week, Carney apparently chose key European powers France and the United Kingdom, rather than the United States, for his first trip abroad.

After talks with UK Prime Minister Starmer in London, Carney told reporters that his country "needs to diversify" its trade and security ties.

"What is clear is that our trade and security relationship is too dependent on the United States. We need to diversify," the former Bank of England governor said.

"That is one of the reasons why my first visit is to Paris and London," he added.

Stressing their "common values" and "common king," Starmer thanked Carney for his "approach to Ukraine," two days after the Canadian leader took part in a video conference to bolster support for Kiev hosted by his British counterpart.

Britain's King Charles - who is also Canada's head of state - earlier welcomed Carney for talks at Buckingham Palace. Carney had arrived in the British capital after meeting French President Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Describing Canada as "the most European of the non-European countries," Carney said his country needed to strengthen ties with European allies such as France while trying to maintain positive relations with Washington.

He faces threats on three fronts: the trade war with Washington, Trump's threats to annex his country and the upcoming election at home.

Trump's imposition of a growing number of import tariffs on Canadian goods threatens to trigger a recession, and his contempt for Canadian sovereignty is causing trepidation in the former ally.

Polls show that the vast majority of Canadian voters reject Trump's argument that their country would be better off as the "51st state of the United States."

But the trade war is a threat to the economy of the huge country of 41 million people, which has long enjoyed a close partnership with the United States. | BGNES