Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada is pursuing a "unique alliance" with the European Union, signaling a strategic pivot as trade disputes with the United States intensify.
"What we are looking, and will begin discussions for, [is] a unique alliance with the European Union," Carney told reporters on Sunday. "We share the same values, we have the same priorities, and we have very complementary strengths."
The move follows months of increasing friction between the Canadian government and the Trump administration. Canada recently implemented retaliatory tariffs, mirroring those imposed by the U.S. after trade negotiations faltered last month. Many Canadians have supported a boycott of U.S. products in response to the economic pressure.
The United States remains Canada's largest trading partner, accounting for 72.5% of Canadian merchandise exports in 2025. However, Carney has been actively working to build international relationships independent of U.S. reliance. Over the past 18 months, Canada has signed agreements covering trade, defense, and other areas with countries including Indonesia, Japan, and Ecuador.
In June 2025, Canada and the EU established a new Security and Defense Partnership, a joint statement from which emphasized shared values such as democracy, human rights, and open markets.
Earlier this year, Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to establish what he termed a "new strategic partnership," which included an agreement to reduce Canada's tariff on Chinese electric cars in exchange for lower tariffs on Canadian agricultural products like canola seeds.
Carney also hosted the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, aiming to attract investment from global firms. He is scheduled to embark on a three-day trip to Europe, where he will meet with European leaders and address the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Canada is not seeking membership in the European Union, Carney clarified. The country is ineligible for membership under Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, which specifies that only "European States" can apply.
However, a report in The Wall Street Journal, citing officials from both sides, suggested Carney is interested in Canada becoming an "associate member" of the EU. The European Commission acknowledged Canada as a "strategically important partner" and a "close friend," noting increased ambition for cooperation following last year's EU-Canada summit. Specific details on the "unique alliance" were not provided.
Frank Schimmelfennig, a professor of European politics at ETH Zurich, suggested that Canada might pursue deeper cooperation through additional trade agreements or models similar to those of non-EU countries with close ties to the bloc. He referenced the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and Canada's participation in Horizon Europe as examples of existing integration.
Schimmelfennig noted that further integration, such as access to the EU's internal market, could involve an arrangement similar to the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes countries like Iceland and Norway. Such an arrangement would require Canada to adopt relevant EU regulations and directives.
This burgeoning relationship with the EU comes amid growing concerns about protectionism and nationalism in the United States. Patrick Leblond, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa, stated that global powers are increasingly using tariffs and financial systems coercively, leading Canada to seek stronger ties with partners who share its values.
Carney has previously advocated for "middle powers"—countries with significant economic and diplomatic influence but lacking superpower military or market might—to unite. In a joint op-ed with Finland's President Alexander Stubb, he urged such nations to "unite" and chart a path forward together.
Public opinion in Canada reflects a declining trust in the U.S. as an ally. A Nanos Research poll found that 74% of Canadians disagreed that the U.S. is a trustworthy ally, while an Angus Reid Institute poll indicated that 42% of respondents viewed the U.S. government as an "enemy/potential threat."
The EU has also experienced friction with the U.S. over trade tariffs and other issues. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously warned of a "deep rift" between Europe and the United States.
Carney's upcoming address to the European Parliament is expected to emphasize cooperation beyond the North Atlantic, potentially including partners in the Indo-Pacific. He is also slated to attend the State of the European Union debate, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will outline future plans. Von der Leyen has described EU-Canada ties as "one of the closest partnerships in the world," noting the shared challenges of global conflicts and crises.