Carney hosts EU leaders to push Canada into new trade and defense alliance
The two-day summit in Montreal aims to formalize an associate membership deal as Canada seeks to cut its economic reliance on Washington.
By Andrew Yang ·
Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa to Montreal on Thursday. The two-day summit focuses on deepening trade, defense, and economic ties between Canada and the European Union. Both sides aim to reduce their dependence on the United States amid a shifting global order.
The central point of contention is the proposed designation of Canada as an EU associate member. Von der Leyen posted on social media upon her arrival that Europe wants to bring Canada closer than ever before under that label. However, some member states are resisting the terminology. Anand Sundar, a special adviser at the European Council on Foreign Relations, noted that France and Germany are unhappy with the title and it may not survive the summit.
Carney said Tuesday that the summit would launch further negotiations over the next year. He stated that specific names or nomenclature matter less than the practical benefits for Canadians. Those benefits include opportunities to study, work, and travel, as well as new markets for Canadian businesses and researchers. Carney described the goal as making Canada a more independent and sovereign nation.
Canada has ruled out formally joining the EU, which would require aligning its laws and regulations with the bloc. Canadian officials said the country would not assume the EU’s general budget obligations but could contribute to specific programs. Any enhanced partnership would face a vote in Canada’s Parliament.
The summit is expected to launch an Alliance for the Future. This framework covers cooperation on trade, defense, critical minerals, technology, and research. The agreement could include regular meetings between Canadian ministers and European commissioners. It would also expand student opportunities through the EU’s Erasmus+ program.
Trump has suggested the proposed arrangement could be a hostile act and threatened tariffs on Europe. A senior Canadian government official told reporters Wednesday that the closer relationship reflects longstanding shared interests rather than a move against the United States. The U.S. accounted for 71.7% of Canada’s merchandise exports in 2025. Carney wants to double exports to other countries over the next decade.
Canada is the only non-European country participating in the EU’s 150-billion-euro SAFE defense procurement program. The government is reviewing plans to buy 72 additional American-made F-35 fighter jets while considering Sweden’s Saab Gripen as an alternative. Negotiations over the EU’s next seven-year budget could also impact Canadian access to future defense spending.
