Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for a deeper alliance between Canada and the European Union, saying the two sides can strengthen their economic and strategic resilience by working more closely. His comments came as Canada considers a proposed new relationship with the EU and faces continuing trade tensions with the United States.
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday, Carney welcomed the European Commission’s proposal for Canada to become the bloc’s first associate member. He said, “Europe and Canada are even stronger together,” while outlining a broader partnership focused on protecting economic prosperity, national sovereignty and democratic institutions. The proposed associate-member status does not currently exist within the EU’s legal framework and would require approval from the bloc’s member countries.
Carney described the proposed relationship as extending beyond conventional trade cooperation. He identified critical minerals, defense production, artificial intelligence and computing, energy security, space and financial payments as areas where Canada and Europe could deepen cooperation. He also called for expanded digital trade and stronger connections between the two economies, reflecting Ottawa’s broader effort to develop relationships with partners beyond its traditional dependence on the United States.
Canada and the EU already have an established trade relationship through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, but Carney’s proposal would broaden cooperation into strategic sectors. The European Commission has similarly proposed closer collaboration in technology, defense, energy, critical minerals and other areas as the two sides seek to strengthen their economic and security ties. Further discussions are expected at a Canada-EU summit in Montreal next month.
The initiative comes as Canada’s relationship with the United States faces renewed pressure over trade. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened additional tariffs against the European Union if he considers the proposed Canada-EU arrangement hostile to U.S. interests. European officials have said the proposed partnership is intended to strengthen Canada-EU cooperation rather than target the United States.
For Carney, the European initiative forms part of a broader effort to expand Canada’s international partnerships while maintaining its ability to make independent decisions. He said the objective was not to create another power bloc but to build collective resilience, with Canada and Europe cooperating across trade, defense, technology, energy and other strategic areas. The precise structure of any new Canada-EU arrangement remains to be negotiated.
Sources:Reuters, Associated Press, The Washington Post and CNN.
Canada to the E.U