Canada seeks stronger ties with EU to reduce reliance on US

“The lesson we’ve taken, Canadians as a whole, is we’re overdependent on the United States. Too closely connected to the United States. And we need to build our strength here at home and diversify and deepen our partnerships with like-minded countries internationally,” Carney stated.

Discussions are underway regarding a potential “associate membership” for Canada within the EU, a status currently non-existent for any other nation. While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has expressed reservations about the label, Carney indicated support for the concept, aligning with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s vision. He clarified that this would entail the “closest possible partnership without being a full member of the European Union.”

Carney acknowledged the importance of maintaining strong ties with the US, emphasizing that Canada and the US are “close partners, alliance partners in NATO.” However, he suggested that cooperation between Canada and Europe could surpass that with the United States in certain areas, building on existing agreements like the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which he described as “one of the most successful free trade agreements in the world.” Potential areas for expanded collaboration include space technologies, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.

Despite concerns about potential repercussions from the Trump administration, particularly given past disagreements, Carney expressed confidence in the enduring strength of the Canada-US relationship. He advocated for direct and clear communication when dealing with the former US president, while underscoring the necessity of diversifying partnerships. Carney conceded that replacing the scale of the US relationship would be challenging, but insisted the EU talks represent a “positive association” aimed at addressing global challenges. The interview was conducted by Katharina Kroll of DW in Montreal.