Previous article
The EU and Canada are preparing an alliance to counter US and Chinese dominance
Economy
The European Union and Canada are preparing to announce a broad strategic alliance aimed at deepening economic, defense, and trade ties, Bloomberg reports.
This initiative reflects the focused desire of middle powers to counter the growing dominance of the great powers – the US and China.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to announce the initiative during her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg on September 16. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will attend the address and is expected to address European lawmakers the following day, emphasizing Ottawa's commitment to closer integration without formal EU membership.
The pending agreement aims to expand cooperation in critical supply chains, raw materials, space exploration, and scientific research. Negotiations also focus on strengthening joint defense capabilities, building on Ottawa's move last year when Canada became the first non-EU country to participate in the bloc's €150 billion ($174 billion) defense procurement fund.
This diplomatic move follows earlier warnings from Prime Minister Carney, who stated at the World Economic Forum that the traditional rules-based international order has effectively collapsed. Against this backdrop, both sides are seeking structural counterweights to unilateral economic pressure and mounting global trade tensions.
The alliance builds on the existing bilateral trade agreement and security partnership. Officials are exploring how closely Canada can legally integrate with the EU's single market. While negotiations on the necessary regulatory and legal frameworks are ongoing, both sides plan to solidify further steps at a joint summit in Canada this October.