What could greater cooperation between Canada and the EU look like?

What potential future cooperation between Canada and the European Union might look like is a topic of discussion among leaders. Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated his desire to "deepen" ties with the EU, though he has not made formal membership a priority. Experts suggest that while formal EU membership is unlikely, Canada and the EU have been exploring ways to strengthen their partnership across various areas, including trade, security, and geopolitics.

In June 2025, Canada and the EU laid out a framework for greater cooperation, outlining goals such as increased trade and economic security, cooperation on supply chains, regulatory alignment, stronger defense partnerships, collaboration on the digital transition, educational exchanges, and shared action on climate change and other geopolitical crises.

Christian Leuprecht, a professor at the Royal Military College in Montreal, sees the EU as the most obvious partner for Canada to diversify its trading relationships, suggesting that sourcing more military purchases from European partners could be an opportunity. Europe, in turn, could benefit from Canada's supply of liquified natural gas, oil, and critical minerals.

Geneviève Tuts, the EU's ambassador to Canada, stated that the two sides envision a "unique" partnership that aims to go further in integration. However, Aurel Braun, a professor of international relations at the University of Toronto, doubts that the relationship can fundamentally change Canada's economic realities, noting that the U.S. will likely remain a key trading and political partner for Canada.