Canada's Carney calls for deeper EU alliance amid geopolitical tensions

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday called for a deeper strategic partnership between Canada and the EU, saying that closer cooperation on trade, defense, energy and technology is needed as geopolitical tensions challenge the sovereignty of smaller nations.

Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France Carney welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member,” while promoting what he called an “alliance for the future.”

“This is about sovereignty. Our ability to live as we wish. It is about the freedoms we must fight for, every day,” Carney said.

His speech came as Canada seeks to strengthen ties with Europe amid continuing trade tensions with the US and efforts by Ottawa to diversify its international economic relationships.

Carney said economic integration is increasingly being used as leverage, warning that countries must build resilience against external shocks.

“We are not fair-weather allies. We do not pursue zero-sum deals,” he said. “We hold common values, for which we have always fought, and in whose defense we must always remain vigilant.”

Canada and the EU have broad economic and political ties through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, known as CETA, and a Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Canada has also become the first non-European country to participate in the EU’s Security Action for Europe, or SAFE, defense initiative.

Carney called for cooperation to go beyond traditional trade relations, proposing closer collaboration on critical minerals, defense industries, artificial intelligence, energy security, space and financial systems.

“Sovereignty today goes beyond being able to feed, fuel, and defend ourselves,” he said, adding that secure access to AI, semiconductors, critical minerals, clean-energy technologies and space communications is increasingly important.

He said Canada’s natural resources and expertise in critical minerals, energy, AI, quantum technologies and finance could complement Europe’s manufacturing, research and regulatory capabilities.

Carney emphasized that the proposed alliance should not become a new geopolitical bloc.

“I’m not proposing a third block in order to become a great power rival only with better manners,” he said. “We do not seek power to dominate others.”

Instead, he said Canada and Europe should build resilience while protecting open markets, democratic institutions and national sovereignty.

“An alliance strong enough so that no one can dictate our choices, an alliance open enough that others can join,” Carney said.