Canada seeks ‘unique alliance’ with EU as it looks to reduce dependence on US
Canada plans to discuss a “unique alliance” with the European Union as Ottawa seeks closer ties with Europe and looks to reduce its economic dependence on the United States amid an escalating trade dispute.
“We're not looking to become a member of the European Union,” Prime Minister Mark Carney told CBC. “What we are looking - and will begin discussions for - a unique alliance with the European Union.”
Carney said Canada and the EU share the same values and priorities and have “very complementary strengths.”
His comments followed a Wall Street Journal report that Carney had asked his team to explore the most ambitious ways Canada could deepen its relationship with the 27-member bloc without seeking full EU membership.
One idea reportedly considered was some form of “associate member” status. However, a senior Canadian official told CBC that Canada had not proposed the term and that it was only one of several labels under consideration.
The official said Ottawa was more interested in what deeper ties with Europe could achieve for Canadian sovereignty than in what the relationship would ultimately be called.
The push comes as Canada seeks to diversify away from the United States amid a bitter trade war. Canadian officials have openly pointed to closer European ties as one way to reduce the country's reliance on the US market.
Carney is due to travel to Strasbourg this week and address the European Parliament on Thursday. Canada will also host an EU-Canada summit on Oct. 29–30, when officials hope to more clearly outline what the new relationship could look like.
The talks coincide with Canada's effort to join an EU-led €90 billion loan for Ukraine, another sign of Ottawa's push for closer cooperation with Europe.