Canada Seeks Closer Ties with Europe Amid Growing Tensions with US
Canada is seeking to strengthen its economic and strategic ties with Europe as it diversifies trade and investment in response to growing tensions with the United States, according to experts.
The European Commission proposed making Canada an 'associate member' of the EU, a status that currently has no established legal basis within the bloc. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the proposal, calling for deeper cooperation in areas such as energy and critical minerals, defense, artificial intelligence, and digital trade.
Experts say this push reflects Canada's efforts to reduce its dependence on the US market and access new markets, resources, and investment opportunities. 'This is not just a response to immediate pressures,' said Robert Wolfe, professor emeritus at Queen's University in Canada. 'It's part of a longer-term adjustment.'
The opportunity for closer ties with Europe goes beyond trade agreements, experts say. 'Associate membership has no legal basis,' said Kurt Huebner, professor of European integration and global political economy at the University of British Columbia in Canada. 'But it reflects a long history of cooperation between Canada and Europe.'