Canada moves closer to Europe amid US tensions

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will address the European Parliament next month as Canada and the European Union seek to strengthen ties following Ottawa’s tariff dispute with Washington.

Euronews reports that Carney is scheduled to speak before the European Parliament on September 17. Before that, he will attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s “State of the Union” address, in which she outlines the EU’s priorities and political direction.

Although inviting distinguished guests from outside the bloc to such events is not unusual, Carney’s participation carries greater political significance than in previous years, when Brussels focused more on civil society representatives or placed particular emphasis on Ukraine.

The move also comes as the Canadian leader has pledged to pursue closer cooperation with the EU amid an escalating trade dispute between the United States and Canada that has developed into an unprecedented confrontation.

“The Prime Minister's important visit will be an opportunity to deepen EU-Canada ties and strengthen our bond,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wrote on social media.