Canada and the EU are laying out their vision of what a closer relationship would look like as the world becomes increasingly “dangerous and divided” and where trade has become “a weapon.” While the agreement, signed on Friday, only refers to the United States once in reference to sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court, Prime Minister Mark Carney has made no secret of his plans to foster relations with other foreign nations in the wake of rising trade tensions. “This is a positive partnership. It’s about creating opportunity, building prosperity, addressing sustainability and reinforcing sovereignty,” Carney said. “It’s not against anything, it’s for it. And those who choose to be in favor of the solutions will be satisfied with the outcome.” 2:11 Canada to become first ‘associate member’ of EU; Why do some EU countries reject it? The prime minister said the deal, in which Canada and the European Union agree to pursue “an even closer partnership” between their respective leaders, industries and people, promises to create opportunities for those on both sides of the ocean. Story continues below ad “Opportunity for our youth, for our artists, for our researchers, for our businesses. It’s about democracy, it’s about protecting against foreign interference and social media manipulation, while supporting human rights, freedom and the rule of law. It’s about sustainability. Protecting our oceans, our forests and our Arctic, while developing practical, scalable solutions to climate change. And above all, it’s about sovereignty, about being able to live our lives as we wish,” Carney said. Get daily national news Get daily Canadian news delivered to your inbox so you never miss the day’s top stories. The agreement establishes an alliance for trade, research, raw minerals, energy, security and preparedness, which includes promises for easier digital money transfers between people in Canada and Europe, as well as more opportunities for job mobility and education of young people abroad. “This is based on partnership, balance and mutual respect. And like any important bridge, each side has something to offer the other,” Carney said. 1:29 Carney brings EU heavyweights to Montreal as Canada continues European push. Both sides say they will collaborate to work on connecting instant payment systems to facilitate faster, lower-cost and more seamless border transactions, making it easier to do business across the Atlantic and transfer funds between the two economies. Canada and the EU will also begin negotiations to foster deeper participation in Erasmus+, the EU’s flagship program for education, youth training and support to expand opportunities for students, researchers, educators and young people to gain international experience and promote training and long-lasting institutional partnerships. facilitate the mobility of highly qualified workers. More about Canada More videos “This partnership is designed for people. The student from Edmonton who wants to study in Stockholm. The cancer researcher from Saskatoon who needs their answer today, not next spring. The startup from Vancouver with new clients in Berlin,” Carney said. “We are launching a new alliance for the future that will deliver results now and in the future with like-minded nations. We are just getting started.” Canada has also expressed its intention to join the Ukraine Support Loan, affirming its commitment to supporting the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine through political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic assistance. “We see the world with the same eyes. What matters today is not where a country is on the map, but what it is willing to build with us and what it represents in the world of fierce geopolitical conflicts. Headwinds. These headwinds will not stop blowing. This change is permanent and now is the time to act with confidence and with vision to build a new future,” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said on Friday. He said Canada’s priorities and visions align enough with the EU that “we can build a partnership that is closer to membership than anything we have done before.” 1:49 EU chief says ‘vast majority’ of members favor new alliance with Canada amid German pushback. “In a world of growing rivalries, sovereignty is no longer the freedom to act alone, but the ability to act together.” The two leaders have also presented plans for engagement in artificial intelligence, outer space, climate change, as well as European investment in critical raw minerals. AI. © 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.