Canadian Prime Minister Seeks Formal Alliance with EU Amid US Trade Tensions

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Toronto that Canada will begin talks with the European Union to establish a "unique alliance" that falls short of full membership. The proposal follows reports that EU officials are open to an "associate member" arrangement for Canada. Carney, who will travel to the United Kingdom and France this week, said the two sides share values, priorities and complementary strengths, and that closer cooperation is needed in a divided world.

The announcement comes as Canada and the United States are engaged in a trade dispute after negotiations collapsed in August. The United States has imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium and lumber, as well as a 50% levy on about C$28 billion of Canadian goods. Ottawa responded with equivalent levies on a similar value of American products, including steel, furniture and textiles.

During his European visit, Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg, attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union speech, and meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Liverpool. Since taking office, Carney has emphasized building a more independent and resilient Canadian economy in response to what he describes as increasingly hostile policies from the United States.