Strasbourg: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has backed deeper ties with the European Union, saying a proposed new partnership is intended to strengthen economic resilience and sovereignty rather than create another geopolitical power bloc.
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Carney welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member. The proposed status does not currently have a formal legal framework.
Carney appeared to take a swipe at the United States while outlining the rationale for closer cooperation with Europe.
“I’m not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great power rival, only with better manners,” he told European lawmakers, adding that Canada and Europe were seeking resilience rather than self-sufficiency.
“We do not seek power to dominate others. On the contrary, we are pursuing resilience so no one can control our open markets, impair our sovereignty, threaten territorial integrity or undermine our freedoms, our democracies, our rule of law,” he said.
Carney later said Canada was not seeking full EU membership and that lawmakers would debate and ultimately decide the final structure of the proposed partnership. He said closer ties could make Canada “stronger, more sovereign, more independent, more prosperous, more sustainable.”
The proposal comes amid worsening trade tensions between Canada and the US. Canada sends roughly 70 per cent of its exports to the US, while Ottawa has been seeking to diversify its economic and strategic partnerships.
US President Donald Trump has criticised the proposed Canada-EU arrangement and warned that Washington could impose heavy tariffs on the European Union if he considers the move a “hostile act”. Trump also described the prospect of Canada joining the EU as “laughable”.
The EU proposal is expected to build on the existing Canada-EU trade relationship, with potential cooperation spanning areas including defence, energy, critical minerals, technology and artificial intelligence.
Carney’s visit comes as Canada and the EU seek to deepen economic and strategic cooperation while navigating their respective trade disputes with Washington.
