EU’s von der Leyen backs partnership with Canada in ‘openly hostile world’
The head of the European Commission calledon Wednesday for EU states to work together and form a new partnership with Canada, to tackle climate change, competition from China and other major challenges.
On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for European Union member states to form a new partnership with Canada to tackle various global challenges. Speaking in her annual speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen emphasized that the 27-nation bloc was facing an "openly hostile world" and that solidarity among member states was the only solution.
The EU is grappling with the ongoing war in Ukraine at its borders, as well as stiff competition from the United States and a rising China. Additionally, the EU faces internal issues, such as the increasing popularity of eurosceptic far-right parties in various member states and opinion polls indicating that Marine Le Pen may be the frontrunner for the French presidential election next year.
Von der Leyen stressed the need for the EU to maintain its independence in sectors like energy, raw materials, and clean technologies. To achieve this, she argued that EU countries must not only work together but also establish strong partnerships with nations like Canada, whose Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the speech and received a standing ovation from the chamber.
Turning to trade, von der Leyen acknowledged that the EU's trade deficit with China had reached a "tipping point," with a daily goods trade deficit of €1 billion ($1.15 billion). She vowed to use all available means to rebalance the relationship, stating that "words are good. But deeds are better."
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