Macron, Carney meet to discuss French-Canadian relations

French President Emmanuel Macron says that France and Canada are two "independent nations" that share similar values as the two countries held talks on Sunday on the remote North Atlantic archipelago of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

The meeting comes days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney embraced the prospect of Canada becoming the European Union's first associate member, saying closer ties with the continent would ensure no country could control Canada's markets or undermine its sovereignty.

During the meeting Marcon stressed the imporance of repsect for international law and free trade.

"We both believe in democracy, the rule of law, respect for international law, free and fair trade, science as the basis for our decisions, and the strategic autonomy that we defend," Macron said.

US President Donald Trump's tariffs, demands for economic concessions and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st US state have pushed the Canadian government to reduce its dependence on its neighbor and pursue deeper economic, security and political relationships with Europe.