Carney calls for deeper Canada–EU strategic alliance in European Parliament address

(Horizon Media / STRASBOURG) — Prime Minister Mark Carney called for a significantly deeper strategic partnership between Canada and the European Union on Thursday, arguing that closer cooperation is necessary as both sides confront growing geopolitical instability, economic pressure and vulnerabilities in global supply chains.

Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Carney said Canada and Europe should expand their relationship well beyond trade, with closer cooperation in defence, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, digital infrastructure, research and financial systems.

Carney framed much of his speech around the need for greater “strategic autonomy,” warning that excessive dependence on individual countries or corporations for essential technologies, resources and infrastructure can leave states vulnerable to political and economic pressure.

He said Canada and Europe have complementary strengths that could help reduce those vulnerabilities. Canada, he noted, possesses major energy and critical-mineral resources, growing expertise in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, and an important strategic position in the Arctic. Europe, meanwhile, offers a vast market, advanced manufacturing capacity, major research institutions and an expanding defence sector.

The speech came as European leaders have raised the possibility of establishing a new form of relationship with Canada, including a proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member.” The precise meaning and legal framework of such a status, however, have yet to be defined.

Carney stressed that Ottawa is not seeking full European Union membership and presented closer ties with Europe as part of a broader effort to diversify Canada’s international partnerships.

He argued that in a world where tariffs, supply chains, technology and financial systems are increasingly used as instruments of geopolitical leverage, Canada and Europe must strengthen their ability to make independent economic and foreign-policy decisions.

The address marked another step in Carney’s push to deepen Canada’s relationship with Europe while reducing the country’s reliance on any single economic or strategic partner.