Canada’s Carney pushes ‘new alliance’ with EU despite Trump threats

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney greets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after delivering a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday. | AFP-JIJI

AFP-Jiji

Sep 17, 2026

Brussels – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shrugged off a threat of U.S. retaliation Thursday as he pitched a “new alliance” with Europe as a bulwark against outside pressures, in a closely watched speech to the European Parliament.

His speech came after EU chief Ursula von der Leyen suggested Canada could become the 27-nation bloc’s first “associate member” in her annual State of the Union address on Wednesday.

“Europe and Canada are stronger together,” Carney said, in a speech that drew a standing ovation, saying his country welcomed the EU proposal and wanted deeper cooperation on issues from artificial intelligence to defense and energy.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.