Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday morning, as Canada seeks to strengthen its relationship with the European Union. The address follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's proposal that Canada become the bloc's first associate member, a designation that does not currently exist. Von der Leyen highlighted shared values and perspectives between Canada and Europe, stating, "We will now build our shared future as well."
Carney has previously envisioned a "unique alliance" with the EU that extends beyond the 2016 Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). However, the path to associate membership is expected to be complex, potentially facing opposition from some EU member states, ten of which have not ratified CETA. Canadian opposition parties have also called for parliamentary approval before pursuing such a deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the proposal by threatening to impose "very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe" if he perceived the move as hostile, calling the idea "laughable." In response, a European Commission spokesperson stated the partnership with Canada is "not against anyone else, but for our common strength." France's Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad emphasized that the United States has no authority to veto the EU's geopolitical decisions.
Carney's speech caps a busy week that included hosting the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto and a meeting in Liverpool, England, with British counterpart Andy Burnham to discuss a defense partnership. Canada is slated to host an EU summit in Montreal at the end of October.
