Phoenix 24
A transatlantic partnership is emerging from a North American rupture.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM | AUGUST 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will address the European Parliament on September 17 as Ottawa seeks closer cooperation with the European Union amid its escalating trade conflict with the United States. One day earlier, Carney will attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address, placing Canada at the centre of one of Brussels’ most important political gatherings.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola described the visit as an opportunity to deepen ties between Canada and the EU. Although distinguished guests regularly attend the annual address, Carney’s invitation carries particular political significance. Previous editions focused heavily on Ukraine and featured representatives of civil society, while this year’s programme signals a growing strategic alignment between two partners facing uncertainty in their relationships with Washington.
The visit follows the collapse of trade negotiations between Canada and the United States. Ottawa accused the Trump administration of demanding concessions affecting Canadian sovereignty, including restrictions on independent trade agreements and requirements concerning the French language. Washington argues that Canada has benefited from US protection while failing to contribute sufficiently to defence and maintains that its commercial demands are justified.
On August 24, the United States imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Carney has promised retaliatory measures matching the American tariffs dollar for dollar. The confrontation represents an extraordinary deterioration in relations between two neighbours whose economies, industries and supply chains have been deeply integrated for generations.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as though it were a potential US state and has questioned the legitimacy of the bilateral border. His administration presents these statements as part of a broader effort to defend American interests, but Canadian officials view them as evidence that the dispute extends beyond trade and touches the country’s political autonomy.
Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, is promoting a coalition of middle powers capable of defending their interests in an increasingly unstable international order. Europe offers Canada a major market, political legitimacy and potential cooperation in defence, energy and critical minerals. Canada, in return, provides the EU with a reliable democratic partner and an opportunity to reduce strategic dependence on the United States. The September visit will test whether this shared concern can become a durable geopolitical partnership.
Geopolítica, sin maquillaje. / Geopolitics, unmasked.