With Washington’s trade threats and political pressure reshaping old assumptions, Canada and the European Union are set to open what EU leaders are calling a “new chapter” in their relationship at a Montreal summit beginning today.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last month floated the idea of Canada becoming the 27-nation bloc’s first “associate member.”
The label has no basis in EU treaties, and several member states succeeded in having the phrase removed from a joint summit statement.
Even so, Ms von der Leyen revived the wording after arriving in Montreal yesterday, saying both sides will “start discussing how to make Canada the first associate member of the EU.”
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect of Canada becoming the bloc’s first ‘associate member’
“Our ambition is to build the closest partnership we have ever had with a non-European country,” she said.
“A new chapter in our shared history starts in Montreal.”
Canada and the EU have each been unsettled by US President Donald Trump’s second term.
Mr Trump’s tariffs have struck key parts of Canada’s economy, and his repeated threats to annex the United States’ northern neighbour have sparked widespread outrage.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that the Trump administration sometimes signs agreements “in pencil” and cannot be relied upon to keep its promises, telling Canadians that cutting reliance on the United States has become an urgent priority.
“The world is more dangerous and divided. In response, Canada and the European Union are building on each other’s strengths,” Mr Carney said ahead of the summit, pledging “a new, ambitious alliance.”
Europe, too, has been hit by US tariffs, while Mr Trump and his senior allies have directed criticism at European political leaders.
Ms von der Leyen said the EU, facing intensifying geopolitical competition, is looking to strengthen ties with “trusted partners.”
“It feels only natural to start with Canada,” she said.
What could be agreed?
Canada and the EU already have a free-trade agreement, though it has not been fully implemented. Canadian officials say companies are increasingly seeking opportunities in Europe to cushion losses tied to US tariffs.
An EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the expanded partnership would aim to align policy in areas including climate, energy and artificial intelligence, enabling Ottawa to take part in certain EU programs and establishing a shared governance structure.
A digital trade deal allowing faster and cheaper online transactions is expected to be unveiled in Montreal
Such steps would build on recent invitations for Canada to join EU summits and ministerial-level meetings.
Canada also holds vast reserves of critical minerals used in green technologies such as batteries and wind turbines—materials Europe currently buys largely from China.
However, Canada’s mining sector would require major infrastructure investment to ramp up production. One possible outcome from the summit is an arrangement that would allow the European Investment Bank to support Canadian critical-mineral projects.
A digital trade agreement designed to make online transactions faster and cheaper is expected to be announced in Montreal. An early draft of the joint statement also pointed toward closer cooperation on both AI infrastructure and regulation.
Officials in Ottawa and Brussels are also understood to be working on a pathway for Canada to participate in the EU’s Erasmus youth program, which includes allowing university students to spend a semester abroad.
Mr Carney said this week he was not focused on associate-member status, or on “specific names or nomenclature” used to describe the emerging relationship.
“What matters is the difference that it will make to the lives of Canadians,” Mr Carney said.
