STRASBOURG, France, Sept 17: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to address the European Parliament on Thursday as Ottawa’s efforts to deepen ties with the European Union face fresh criticism from US President Donald Trump.
The speech comes a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the EU’s first associate member. The proposed status does not currently exist under the bloc’s treaties, meaning its structure and terms would need to be negotiated.
Trump has criticised the proposal and suggested that allowing Canada to establish such a relationship with the EU could amount to a hostile move against the United States. He also warned that Washington could impose additional tariffs on European goods depending on its assessment of the bloc’s intentions.
The US president described the idea of Canadian associate membership as “laughable” and also criticised Canada’s trade relationship with the United States.
The developments have added significance to Carney’s appearance in Strasbourg, where he is expected to outline Ottawa’s approach to strengthening economic and strategic cooperation with European partners.
Von der Leyen said the EU wanted to move beyond its existing trade relationship with Canada and develop an “Alliance for the Future” covering areas including defence, technology, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. She stressed that the proposed cooperation was intended to strengthen both sides rather than target another country.
Canada already maintains extensive economic ties with Europe through its existing trade agreement with the EU. The country has also joined the bloc’s SAFE defence procurement programme, becoming the first non-EU participant in the initiative.
Carney’s government has been seeking to diversify Canada’s economic and strategic relationships as tensions with Washington have increased. The United States remains Canada’s dominant export market, accounting for roughly 70 per cent of Canadian exports.
Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s ambassador-designate to the EU, has said Ottawa is not seeking full EU membership because of the sovereignty implications. Instead, Canada wants to establish the closest possible relationship with the bloc while retaining its independence.
The proposed associate membership arrangement is still at an early stage, and its precise rights and responsibilities have yet to be determined. The issue is expected to receive further attention when Canadian and EU leaders meet for a summit in Montreal on October 29 and 30.
Carney has previously argued that countries should strengthen cooperation to reduce their vulnerability when dealing with larger economic powers. His remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year focused on the risks faced by countries negotiating individually with dominant partners.
Thursday’s address comes against that backdrop, with Canada and the EU exploring broader cooperation in trade, defence, energy, technology and critical minerals while Washington closely watches the developing relationship.