Could Canada Become Part of the European Union? Carney Weighs In

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for stronger relations with the European Union as Ottawa looks to broaden its economic and strategic partnerships amid uncertainty created by US President Donald Trump's trade policies. Carney has described Canada as “the most European of non-European countries” and is travelling to Strasbourg, France, this week for a landmark engagement with EU institutions. According to AFP, he will become the first head of government to attend the European Union's State of the European Union address. He is also expected to speak before the European Parliament before travelling to Liverpool for talks with Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

The visit comes at a time when both Canada and the European Union are seeking to diversify their international relationships and reduce their vulnerability to economic and geopolitical pressure from Washington. Ottawa has already taken several steps to strengthen its links with Europe. Canada became the first country outside the EU to participate in the bloc's defence procurement programme, while cooperation between the two sides is also expanding in areas such as climate policy, artificial intelligence and digital commerce.

Carney is also expected to host an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next month. The meeting is likely to focus on expanding economic and security cooperation, with a possible digital trade agreement among the issues under discussion. Such an agreement could build on the existing Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, commonly known as CETA, which officials believe still offers considerable room for growth. The increasingly close relationship has also fuelled speculation about whether Canada could one day seek membership of the European Union. Carney has so far avoided completely ruling out that possibility, adding another layer of interest to Canada's evolving relationship with the bloc.

Closer relations with Europe are not expected to replace Canada's longstanding economic dependence on the United States anytime soon. American consumers remain by far the biggest destination for Canadian exports. In July, roughly 70% of Canada's exports were sent to the US, while only about 5% went to the European Union.

Canadian and European officials see greater cooperation as a way to make their economies more resilient and strengthen security ties. For Ottawa, expanding European partnerships could provide additional options at a time when trade relations with its largest neighbour have become increasingly unpredictable.

The push toward Europe therefore appears less about turning away from the United States and more about giving Canada a wider network of economic and strategic partners. With negotiations on trade, defence, technology and other areas gaining momentum, Carney's government is signalling that Europe will play a much larger role in Canada's international strategy.

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