The European Union and Canada consolidate an alliance that is stronger than ever
On 23 June, the European Union and Canada held their 20th bilateral summit in Brussels, where they reaffirmed their commitment to a renewed strategic partnership to address a global context marked by geopolitical uncertainty, climate change and economic transformation.
The meeting was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and a new Security and Defence Agreement was signed to strengthen cooperation on crisis management, hybrid threats, military mobility and the defence industry. Negotiations on a possible digital trade pact were also announced.
At a time of tensions with the United States and just days before the NATO summit, both sides stressed the importance of a stable and predictable relationship based on common values. Carney reaffirmed Canada's pro-European stance, describing it as ‘the most European of non-European countries’, while Costa stressed that ‘together we are stronger’. Von der Leyen suggested that the next summit be held in the Arctic, as a sign of European support for its Greenlandic partners. According to the final communiqué, the summit represents ‘a decisive step’ in a partnership that seeks shared prosperity, peace, democracy and international stability.
Stronger relationship
According to the official website of the European Union, relations between Canada and the European Union have evolved over the years into a strong strategic partnership based on shared values such as democracy, multilateralism, respect for the rules-based international order, peace and security. With deep historical, economic and cultural ties, this cooperation has been formalised through key agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), provisionally in force since 2017, which eliminated tariffs on 98% of products, boosting trade in goods and services for the benefit of businesses and citizens.
At the same time, the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) has strengthened political and sectoral cooperation in areas such as defence, energy, digitalisation and the fight against climate change. At the bilateral summit held in 2025, both sides consolidated their ties by signing the first security and defence agreement that the EU has ever signed with an American country, which will allow Canadian companies to access European procurement programmes in this area.
In addition, it was agreed to launch a dialogue on industrial policy, move towards a digital trade agreement complementary to CETA and deepen cooperation on key issues such as critical raw materials, economic security and the green transition. Both the EU and Canada maintain a strong position in support of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, through coordinated sanctions, actions in international courts and joint humanitarian efforts, including their participation in the G7 Donor Coordination Platform. They also cooperate closely on crisis management operations, maritime security, the fight against terrorism and cyber threats.
In short, this bilateral commitment has produced concrete results: between 2016 and the present, bilateral trade in goods grew by 63%, trade in services by 90%, and European exports to Canada increased by 61% in goods and 81% in services. As highlighted by the official website of the European Union, this alliance not only represents strategic cooperation between like-minded partners, but also a joint commitment to a more stable and equitable global order.
Europe and Canada moving forward together
As mentioned above, the European Union and Canada took a decisive step in deepening their strategic partnership by signing an unprecedented security and defence partnership. This agreement will allow Canada to participate in European defence tenders and collaborate in key areas such as crisis management, cybersecurity, maritime security, counter-terrorism and space policy.
Both sides also agreed to work towards a second agreement to facilitate Canadian participation in the European ‘SAFE’ programme, which has been allocated 150 billion euros for joint defence procurement. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the aim is to move ‘quickly’ forward in these negotiations, based on the principles of reciprocity and security of supply. At the same time, it was agreed to launch a new dialogue on industrial policy to strengthen transatlantic competitiveness and align strategic interests, particularly in critical raw materials, of which Canada is a key supplier.
In addition, both sides have formally begun negotiations for a Digital Trade Agreement that will complement CETA and seek to establish common rules on data circulation, artificial intelligence, cyber regulation, electronic signatures and consumer protection. It should be noted that the first EU-Canada Digital Partnership Council is scheduled to take place later this year.
On the political front, both sides reiterated their concern about tensions in the Middle East and their commitment to a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear programme, as well as a ceasefire in Gaza and peace based on the two-state solution. In the words of European Commissioner Costa, ‘this partnership will allow us to invest more and better’, while Canada's Mark Carney stressed that the pact opens the door to more balanced cooperation, where Canada can reduce its dependence on the United States for defence. As a symbol of political closeness, Von der Leyen recalled that ‘Canada is the most European country outside Europe’, reflecting the strategic value of a relationship that is growing stronger as both partners face increasing tensions with the United States.