Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said it was important to strengthen ties with "reliable allies" in Europe, as he met British and French leaders on his first overseas visit amid tensions with the United States.

New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met the leaders of Britain and France on Monday during his first official overseas trip, seeking support from two of Ottawa's oldest allies as U.S. President Donald Trump targets Canada's sovereignty and economy.

Mark Carney, Canada’s new prime minister, broke with tradition on Monday by visiting Europe rather than the United States for his first foreign trip as the country’s leader, with his warm welcome in France and the UK standing in stark contrast to his country’s fracturing relationship with its southern neighbor.