Canada-EU summit: What do both sides want, and what’s at stake?
The EU has proposed to make Canada its first associate member amid tensions over US tariffs.
Canada is set to host a summit with the European Union to bolster bilateral strategic and economic ties as its relations with its southern neighbour, the United States, are in sharp decline.
The summit is scheduled for October 29 to 30 in Canada’s French-speaking city of Montreal, and is expected to focus on closer cooperation on trade, technology, defence, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, research and financial services.
In September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member”; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the move.
The EU describes Canada as “the only non-European country” taking part in Security Action for Europe (SAFE), the EU’s 150 billion-euro ($167bn) loan programme that supports and expedites defence procurement by EU member states.