Watch: Carney backs closer EU ties, draws applause at European Parliament

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 17 September, urging a historic deepening of Canada‑EU relations and endorsing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s suggestion to explore making Canada the bloc’s first associate member. He framed the proposal as a response to a shifting geopolitical landscape that is nudging the two partners toward a tighter strategic alliance, and he called for expanded cooperation across critical minerals, defence, artificial intelligence, energy, space, and financial systems, as well as closer digital trade and stronger ties between universities and youth. Carney stressed that the initiative was not intended to create a new geopolitical bloc, stating, “I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great‑power rival – only with better manners,” and he received applause for his remarks.

The speech came amid heightened tension after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of “very serious tariffs” against the EU should Brussels move forward with the proposed Canada‑EU partnership, underscoring the broader trade and diplomatic pressures surrounding the plan. Carney positioned the Canada‑EU alliance as a long‑term project that would extend beyond conventional trade and defence cooperation, aiming to serve as a “beacon” for other democracies by promoting shared values of freedom, solidarity, prosperity, and sustainability, alongside a commitment to international law. By aligning with the EU on emerging sectors such as AI and critical minerals, Canada seeks to bolster its sovereignty and resilience in a changing global order.

Carney’s call for deeper integration signals a potential shift in Canada’s foreign policy, with implications for its economic and security ties not only with Europe but also with the United States, which has signaled opposition to the move. If pursued, the associate‑member status could open new avenues for digital trade, research collaboration, and joint defence initiatives, affecting businesses, academic institutions, and young professionals on both sides of the Atlantic. The proposal also aims to position Canada and the EU as a model partnership for other democratic nations, suggesting a broader strategy to reinforce a rules‑based international system amid rising geopolitical competition.

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