Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament next month, a notable engagement that underscores Canada’s initiative to strengthen its ties with the EU following a significant shift in relations with US President Donald Trump amid ongoing trade tensions.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, Carney will also participate in the European Union’s annual State of the Union address, to be delivered by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 16 September. The Prime Minister is expected to speak the following day.
This visit comes on the heels of the collapse of US-Canada trade negotiations, which led President Trump to impose a 50% tariff on approximately $20 billion in Canadian goods, prompting the Canadian government to announce reciprocal tariffs.
Europe has become a pivotal component of Canada’s strategy to reduce its economic dependency on the United States. PM Carney advocates that middle powers pursue collaborative efforts rather than compete for the favour of larger nations.
Since taking office in March 2025, he has made numerous trips to Europe, fostering stronger partnerships through a security and defence pact and solidifying Canada’s status this year as the first non-European country to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe initiative.
The Prime Minister has set an ambitious goal of doubling Canada’s non-US exports over the next decade as part of his commitment to diversifying the country’s economic relationships. With his extensive experience as a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, PM Carney brings invaluable expertise and established connections to this endeavour.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
