European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has backed proposals for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member, as both sides seek closer cooperation amid strained relations between Canada and the United States.
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, von der Leyen said the EU should work towards “opening the door” to Canada and developing stronger ties across key economic and strategic sectors.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who attended the speech, has called for a “unique alliance” with the EU. Trade relations between Canada and the US have deteriorated after negotiations collapsed last month, followed by new US tariffs and repeated comments by President Donald Trump about Canada becoming the 51st US state.
Von der Leyen said closer cooperation with Canada would not be directed against another country, describing it instead as a way to strengthen Europe and its partners amid growing pressure on the international rules based system.
She identified manufacturing, technology, artificial intelligence, defence, energy, critical minerals and economic security as areas for deeper cooperation. She also highlighted existing cooperation on Ukraine, raw materials and supply chains.
The EU and Canada already have a free trade agreement, known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which removes tariffs on 99% of goods traded between them. Von der Leyen said the bloc wanted to build on the agreement and create an “Alliance for the Future” focused on shared prosperity and economic security.
She also proposed establishing a European Security Council involving countries including the United Kingdom and Ukraine, alongside existing partners such as Canada and Norway, to strengthen cooperation on threats facing Europe, including Russia.
Other proposals in her annual address included closer engagement with major AI companies on the pace of advanced AI development, reducing regulatory burdens for European businesses and creating a new emergency mechanism to respond to large movements of migrants.
Von der Leyen also proposed restrictions on social media use by children, including preventing those under 13 from accessing platforms and requiring parental supervision for children aged 13 to 15.
Carney is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday.
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