Bloomberg: Canada, EU to sign new defence pact in Brussels

If finalised, the agreement would allow Canada and EU member states to collaborate on defence procurement — accelerating and reducing the cost of acquiring munitions, and enabling joint purchases of high-tech and costly military systems, pending further talks, Canadian officials said on June 22.

During the summit, Carney is scheduled to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. The leaders are expected to release a joint communiqué outlining an ambitious roadmap for closer bilateral cooperation.

The EU and Canada will also begin formal negotiations on a digital trade agreement, according to a senior EU official cited by Bloomberg.

Carney, who took office following an April election victory, has pledged to bolster Canada’s global standing by strengthening security and trade ties with non-U.S. allies — a shift driven by President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies and his repeated threats to Canada’s sovereignty.

Following the Brussels summit, Carney will travel to The Hague on June 24 for a key NATO summit. There, allied leaders will debate a proposed increase in defence spending targets from 2% to 5% of GDP. Earlier this month, Carney announced that Canada will meet the existing 2% target in the current fiscal year.

Spain, however, has secured an exemption from the 5% goal, Bloomberg noted.

By Khagan Isayev