EU chief pushes for deeper Canada partnership despite member objections
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated her call for a closer EU-Canada alliance, seeking associate-member-like ties while some EU members, notably Germany, object to the terminology.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used a keynote address in Montreal to reaffirm her proposal for a partnership with Canada that would bring the two sides "closer to membership than anything we've done before." The speech came during a two-day summit aimed at deepening the Canada-EU relationship and reducing reliance on the United States under President Donald Trump.
"In a world of growing rivalries, sovereignty and independence are no longer just the freedom to act alone — it is the capacity to act together. And this is why we will build an alliance for the future," von der Leyen said, adding, "And we start with Canada."
The precise label for the alliance has been contested. A draft joint statement originally used the term "associate membership," but the wording was later changed to a commitment to an "ever closer association" after objections from some EU members. Germany, in particular, has flagged the "associate member" label as a red line.
"It is an association without accession," von der Leyen said, noting that the arrangement would align policies on artificial intelligence, climate, energy, security and governance, and could involve "parliament to parliament" and "court to court" cooperation.
EU officials stressed that the naming is secondary to the substance of the partnership. Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasized that the alliance aims to improve affordability and create opportunities for Canadians in travel, study and research.
"This new alliance is not a marketing exercise. The name doesn't matter. What matters to Canadians ultimately from this new alliance is going to be affordability, it's going to be opportunity," she told reporters.
The proposal has drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that he might view the move as hostile and could retaliate against European trade. A senior Canadian official, speaking on background, said the summit is not directed against any country but reflects shared interests.
During the summit, Canada announced a $1.6 billion investment in Toronto-based generative-AI firm Cohere, and both sides pledged to strengthen trade, Arctic cooperation, counter foreign disinformation, support Ukraine and expand participation in the EU's Erasmus exchange program. The final EU-Canada statement, now approved by EU member states, may still be adjusted by Canada before the summit concludes.
Canada's opposition leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed the summit as a theatrical event with "meaningless declarations" that would not lower mortgage or grocery costs.