Canada-EU summit seeks deepened alliance as US ties fray

Montreal, October 26 - Union leaders gathered in Canada for a summit aimed at strengthening their alliance amid increasingly tumultuous relations with the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized during a speech at the EU Parliament, "Europe and Canada are stronger together." This sentiment came after EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen proposed Canada could become the bloc's first "associate member."

Leaders in Montreal will work on specifics for closer ties in defense, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals, while highlighting the changing geopolitical landscape following US President Donald Trump's policies. Trump's tariffs have prompted Canada to seek new economic opportunities abroad, reducing its dependence on the US.

Carney sees the EU as a logical partner, stating that Canada is "the most European of non-European countries." Timothy Snyder, chair in modern European history at Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs, agrees that Carney's outreach is tactically sound, noting that being cut off from the American market could be unpredictable. The EU has also sought Canada as a reliable partner due to its rivalry with China and the US.

While the EU has not fully implemented the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada, signed in 2016, it could offer Canada associate member status, potentially granting access to programs like Erasmus student mobility, Galileo satellite navigation, and a European security council. However, this status is not clearly defined in EU treaties.

The idea has sparked controversy in Canada, with conservatives fearing increased European bureaucracy.