Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to deliver an address to the European Parliament next month, a high-profile diplomatic visit that highlights Canada's strategic pivot toward Europe. The trip follows the recent collapse of trade negotiations between Ottawa and Washington, which resulted in U.S. President Donald Trump imposing 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods and Canada subsequently announcing retaliatory measures.
According to an official statement from his office, the prime minister will also participate in the European Union’s annual State of the Union address. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is slated to deliver the address on September 16, with Carney attending as a guest of honor before speaking to lawmakers the following day. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola noted in a social media statement that the visit serves as a significant opportunity to strengthen the bond and deepen ties between the EU and Canada.
This visit is a key component of Canada’s broader economic strategy to reduce its long-standing dependence on the United States. Since taking office in March 2025, Carney has visited Europe at least 12 times. He has consistently argued that middle powers should collaborate rather than compete for favor with larger nations. As part of this effort, his government has entered into a new security and defense pact and became the first non-European country to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe initiative this year.
Carney, who previously served as the governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, aims to double Canada’s non-U.S. exports over the next decade to further solidify the country's economic shift away from the American market.
