Prime Minister Mark Carney says deeper cooperation and trade between Canada and the European Union can bolster sovereignty on both sides of the Atlantic and help create the “next just, stable, and prosperous world order.”
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France Thursday morning, Carney made a pitch for stronger economic ties with the EU in industries like artificial intelligence, critical minerals and defence.
“I want to be precise about what I am not proposing. I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival – only with better manners,” Carney said.
“We do not seek power to dominate others. On the contrary, we are pursuing resilience so that no one can control our open markets, impair our sovereignty, threaten our territorial integrity, or undermine our freedoms, our democracies, our rule of law.”
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) trickled in to Carney’s speech Thursday morning, with the prime minister’s speech receiving applause and a standing ovation from the 791-member legislature. One legislator received jeers from his peers for chanting “USA! USA!” as Carney took the podium. The prime minister appeared to hear the chant, but did not acknowledge it.
But the U.S. under Trump was very present in Carney’s remarks to the European politicians — albeit only in indirect references.
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“Just as dominance is the arrogance of the hegemon, perfection is the enemy of the good. The economics are clear: the leverage of the powerful in an exploitive relationship collapses well before complete independence is achieved. Diversity confers advantage,” Carney said.
“The objective is not self-sufficiency. It is collective resilience.”
Carney’s speech came as Canada and the EU explore deepening political, security and economic ties. That process started in June 2025, but has accelerated with both Canadian and EU officials hinting at a significant new formal partnership over and above the Canada-EU Trade Agreement (CETA).
On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was inviting Carney to “open the door” to becoming the EU’s first “associate member” — a designation that does not currently have a basis in the economic and political bloc’s treaty.
Later that day, Trump said if Canada becomes the first associate member of the European Union it could be a “hostile act.”
Speaking to reporters in North Carolina, the president said if it’s done with “bad intentions” he will “put very heavy tariffs on Europe.”
Trump also called Canada a “terrible trade partner” after earlier Wednesday signing a memorandum directing federal agencies overseeing government procurement in the United States to remove all products of Canadian origin.
At a press conference with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Carney said the push for an “alliance for the future” with Europe is not a reaction to Trump’s hostile actions on trade, but a “positive” project aimed strengthening both sides of the Atlantic.
“This is about building,” Carney told reporters.
“It will make Europe stronger, it will make Canada stronger. It will make, I’ll speak for Canada, Canada a better partner with the United States. And with respect to sovereignty …. we are looking for partnerships that are complimentary, that reinforce our sovereignty. And that’s what’s on offer here.”
The potential “associate member” designation has taken up much of the political conversation in Canada. But Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s ambassador to the EU and a former cabinet minister, told reporters that Ottawa is more focused working with the Europeans to strengthen partnerships in specific sectors.
Those include energy and natural resources, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and defence procurement.
Carney said that what the EU calls the new relationship with Canada is up to European politicians. But he underlined that whatever alliance emerges from talks between Ottawa and Brussels will be debated by Parliament and put to a vote.
“Yes, we will have a series of debates, I’m sure, in Parliament, relevant committees, and ultimately there will be a vote in the Canadian Parliament for the final structure of the alliance that we’re working on,” Carney told reporters.
“The next important point is the summit, European-Canada summit in Montreal on the 29th and 30th of October, but it will all roll out transparently.”
With a file from the Canadian Press and Global’s David Akin.
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