Carney seeks deeper EU ties at Montreal summit amid US trade tensions

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will use a two-day summit in Montreal to pursue closer ties with the European Union, amid trade tensions with the United States. The discussions matter because both sides see scope for a stronger partnership, although they have not agreed on how to describe Canada’s proposed relationship with the bloc.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated “associate membership” after Carney addressed the European Parliament, but Germany and other countries objected to the term, which they associate with countries seeking full EU membership. The summit is expected to cover defence, critical minerals, research and trade, as well as business and student links; officials say Canada is not seeking full membership or planning to pay a standard membership fee, and that further details will be worked out in the coming months.