Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking to strengthen ties with the European Union as part of a broader strategy to reduce Canada's economic dependence on the United States, particularly amid challenges posed by the ongoing trade tensions under US President Donald Trump. Carney has described Canada as “the most European of non-European countries” and is pursuing an unprecedented level of cooperation with the EU, though he has ruled out full EU membership.

Carney is scheduled to visit Strasbourg, France, later this week, where he will make history as the first head of government to attend the “State of the European Union” address. He will deliver a speech at the European Parliament the following day. His itinerary also includes a stop in Liverpool for a meeting with the United Kingdom's newly appointed prime minister, Andy Burnham.

European lawmakers have welcomed Carney’s efforts as a significant gesture toward closer collaboration. Tobias Cremer, a German lawmaker and main sponsor of a resolution advocating stronger EU-Canada ties, highlighted Canada’s abundance of resources — including energy, rare earth elements, and raw minerals — which Europe faces shortages of. Cremer noted that both Canada and the EU are seeking to diversify their international partnerships and mitigate risks associated with reliance on the United States, particularly following Trump’s return to office.

Carney has already taken steps to deepen Canada’s integration with the EU. Canada is the first non-EU country to join the bloc’s defense procurement program, and Carney was involved in facilitating Canada’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, a notable cultural connection. He is also set to host an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next month, where officials plan to launch discussions on forging “a much stronger and deeper economic and security partnership.”

Javier Moreno Sanchez, a Spanish lawmaker leading a parliamentary delegation on relations with Canada, pointed to shared priorities between Ottawa and Brussels in areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence. A digital trade agreement is reportedly under negotiation, intended to build upon the existing Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta). However, Sanchez acknowledged that the potential of Ceta remains underutilized, especially among small- and medium-sized enterprises.

While speculation about Canada eventually joining the EU has grown amid the current geopolitical climate, Carney clarified that formal membership is not the objective. Instead, Canada seeks to create “a unique alliance” with the EU based on shared values, aligned priorities, and complementary strengths. This approach reflects a pragmatic effort to diversify Canada’s foreign relationships in an uncertain global environment.