Canada hopes to reach an agreement with the European Union on the broad outlines of a partnership by the end of this year, according to a senior official in the government of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The move is aimed at strengthening economic ties and expanding areas of cooperation with the bloc.
Talks between Ottawa and Brussels in the coming months are expected to focus on aligning standards, integrating financial-services markets and youth-mobility programmes, as well as cooperation in the energy and critical-minerals sectors.
European Proposal to Deepen Cooperation
The moves follow a proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to establish a partnership linking Canada and the European Union. Carney welcomed the proposal in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, saying his country wanted to deepen its ties with Europe.
Trade Tensions with Washington
Canada’s efforts come as trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington escalate, with threats of high and reciprocal tariffs between the two countries.
US President Donald Trump had warned that steep tariffs could be imposed or trade measures taken against Canada and the European Union in a number of sectors if Ottawa moved ahead with the partnership, saying the step could be interpreted as a hostile act.
