STRASBOURG – Carney: Canada and the EU Must Unite to Defend Democracies

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for strengthening relations between Canada and the European Union, telling the European Parliament that both sides are “stronger together” in an increasingly insecure international environment, according to Reuters.

In his speech in Strasbourg, Carney argued that Canada and Europe share common values and interests and that closer cooperation can help defend democracy, open markets and the rule of law.

“Europe and Canada are each strong. Europe and Canada are stronger together,” Carney declared, describing Canada and the EU as natural allies.

“Economic integration is being weaponized”

An important part of the speech was devoted to developments in international trade and the use of economic instruments to exert political pressure.

Carney said economic integration is being weaponized and tariffs are being used to exert pressure, also warning about the risks created by excessive dependence on supply chains and financial mechanisms.

According to him, under the new geopolitical conditions, countries must have more capacity to protect their economies and strategic interests.

Cooperation on critical minerals, energy, defense and artificial intelligence

Carney proposed deeper Canada–EU cooperation in a range of strategic sectors, including critical minerals, defense, artificial intelligence, energy, space technology and payment systems.

He argued that dependence on a limited number of states or companies creates vulnerabilities and that Canada and Europe must build more resilient capacity through cooperation.

The Canadian prime minister also mentioned Canada’s potential as a supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen to Europe, as part of efforts to strengthen energy security.

Support for bringing Canada closer to the EU

Carney’s speech came a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada could become the EU’s first “associate” member.

Carney welcomed the idea of a deeper relationship with the EU, although he stressed that for Canada, what matters is the concrete content of cooperation, not just the name of the new relationship.

He made clear that Canada is not seeking full EU membership.

In this context, he also mentioned the possibility of expanding exchanges between citizens, especially for young people, giving them more opportunities to work, study and live on both sides of the Atlantic.

“We are not building a bloc against anyone”

Carney stressed that strengthening Canada–EU relations should not be seen as creating a bloc against other countries.

He argued that the goal is to create more resilient partnerships and protect democratic and economic capacities, at a time when international relations are facing major changes.

His statement came amid trade tensions with the United States of America.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs against the EU if the rapprochement between Canada and the EU were considered a hostile act.

Carney, however, defended Canada’s right to choose its international partnerships.

Concluding his speech, Carney presented the Canada–EU rapprochement as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in a range of fields, from economy and energy to defense, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

Source: Reuters