France and Canada are moving to deepen their economic, defence, and strategic cooperation following a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on September 20, 2026.
The two leaders met in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, the French territory located off the Atlantic coast of Canada, where they discussed closer cooperation in areas including defence, space, energy, technology, and economic resilience.
Macron and Carney Meet in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
The meeting took place during Carney’s European trip as Canada seeks to expand its international partnerships.
According to the Canadian government, Macron and Carney reaffirmed the close relationship between France and Canada and discussed ways to strengthen security, resilience, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.
Reuters reported that the leaders also discussed the changing international environment and the need for closer cooperation between countries facing shared economic and security challenges.
Cooperation on Space Technology
One of the concrete areas discussed was space infrastructure.
The two leaders directed their respective space agencies, defence ministries, and industries to work on common space infrastructure, including:
- Space launch systems
- Ground reception infrastructure
- Ground control systems
- Related space technologies
The Canadian government said the objective is to develop and share infrastructure that can strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Space cooperation is becoming an increasingly important part of national security and technological development, particularly in areas such as communications, satellite observation, and strategic infrastructure.
Defence Cooperation
France and Canada also agreed to deepen cooperation between their defence sectors.
Their discussions included collaboration between defence ministries and defence industries, alongside the wider development of strategic capabilities.
Canada has recently been seeking to expand defence partnerships with European countries. On September 16, 2026, Canada formally applied to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a military cooperation framework involving several European NATO members.
The France-Canada discussions therefore come within a broader Canadian effort to develop additional defence relationships in Europe.
Economic Cooperation
Economic relations were another important part of the meeting.
France and Canada are discussing closer cooperation in areas such as energy, technology, telecommunications, and strategic industries. Reuters reported that the two governments are looking at ways to strengthen economic ties as international trade conditions become more uncertain.
The discussions also fit into Canada’s broader strategy of expanding its economic partnerships beyond its traditional markets.
Critical Minerals and Energy
Critical minerals are another area of potential cooperation between France, Canada, and Europe.
Canada possesses important mineral resources that are used in industries such as batteries, electric vehicles, electronics, and advanced technology.
Energy cooperation is also receiving greater attention. Discussions between Canada and European partners have included potential supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other energy resources.
For France and other European countries, diversifying energy and raw-material supply chains has become an important economic issue.
Canada and the European Union
The meeting between Macron and Carney also took place against the backdrop of Canada’s developing relationship with the European Union.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has proposed deeper strategic ties between Canada and the EU in areas including:
- Defence
- Energy
- Artificial intelligence
- Critical minerals
- Digital trade
- Technology
He has described Canada and Europe as potential partners in strengthening economic and strategic resilience.
The European Commission has also discussed the possibility of a new form of closer partnership with Canada.
Macron Supports Closer EU-Canada Relations
During the Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon meeting, Macron expressed support for Canada’s efforts to establish a closer relationship with the European Union.
The Associated Press reported that Macron backed Canada’s proposal to become an associate member of the EU, although such a status does not currently exist under EU treaties.
The proposal would require further discussion among EU member states and would be separate from full EU membership.
France and Canada’s Shared Atlantic Connection
The choice of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon for the meeting had a geographical significance.
The small French territory is located in the North Atlantic, close to Canada’s Newfoundland and Labrador province.
The location provided a setting for the two leaders to emphasize the long-standing relationship between France and Canada and their connections across the Atlantic.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Technology is also becoming an important part of France-Canada relations.
Areas under discussion include artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, and advanced technologies.
Canada’s proposed closer partnership with the EU includes cooperation on AI and other frontier technologies, while France has also been developing its own AI ecosystem.
The two countries may therefore have opportunities to cooperate on research, investment, infrastructure, and technology development.
Why Is This Cooperation Expanding?
France and Canada are both looking to strengthen international partnerships in response to changes in the global economy and security environment.
For Canada, expanding relationships with European countries is part of a broader effort to diversify trade and strategic partnerships.
For France, stronger ties with Canada provide another channel for cooperation in North America, particularly in areas such as defence, energy, critical minerals, and technology.
The two governments have described their relationship as based on shared interests and close historical links.
What Happens Next?
The next stage will involve turning the political discussions into practical cooperation.
Areas to watch include:
- Joint space projects
- Defence-industry cooperation
- Energy agreements
- Critical-mineral partnerships
- AI and technology projects
- Digital trade
- Further Canada-EU negotiations
The September 20 meeting established areas for further work, while specific projects and agreements will require additional negotiations between governments, companies, and institutions.
Conclusion
France and Canada are strengthening cooperation in defence, space, energy, technology, and strategic industries following the September 20, 2026 meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.
The two countries have directed their space agencies, defence ministries, and industries to explore shared infrastructure and have discussed broader economic and strategic cooperation.
The meeting also comes as Canada develops closer ties with the European Union, including discussions about new forms of partnership and cooperation in areas such as AI, defence, energy, critical minerals, and digital trade.