Carney heads to Europe as Canada-EU ties take center stage amid US trade war
After Europe, Carney will travel to Britain
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to head to Europe, seeking a deeper relationship with the European Union in the middle of an escalating trade war with the United States.
Speaking to the reporters on Sunday, Carney expressed desire to build a “unique alliance” with the EU based on the same priorities and values but it does not involve seeking the membership of the bloc.
Carney’s trip to Europe involves an agenda as Canada builds deeper ties that could give Canadians greater freedom to work and study there.
According to a senior official, Canada is pursuing a strategic partnership with Europe that would grant Canadian citizens the right to live and work across the continent without a visa.
The official also clarified that the country is not eyeing to “replicate the arrangements Norway or Switzerland have with the EU and did not propose associate membership.” Instead Ottawa wants a partnership according to its priorities with investment at its core.
Carney’s pivot to Europe is seen as his efforts to reduce its dependence on the US as around 70 percent of its exports go to the United States.
The official said the goal is greater Canadian sovereignty, not less. “We’re not looking at giving up our rights to Brussels or anything like that. It’s quite the opposite.”
During the high-stakes visit, Carney will attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address as a guest of honour. He will also address the European parliament.
Carney also carries a message urging middle powers to resist economic coercion, walking away from bad deals and banding together rather than submit to great powers.
Canada and the EU are strengthening their relationship, highlighted by bilateral trade reaching ~$147 billion in 2025, the European Parliament opening an office in Ottawa , and Canada becoming the first non-European country to join the EU’s €150 billion SAFE defense program.
The visit comes as Canada and the US are locked in an escalating trade war. But the Canadian officials rejected the viewpoint that this visit is meant to drift the country away from the US and gain leverage.
“It’s always about us. We will still do things with the United States,” according to Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
After Europe, Carney will travel to Britain.
