Carney: Canada has learned it is overdependent on the US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in an interview with German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) on Friday in Montreal that Canadians have concluded their country is overdependent on the United States, its largest trading partner. He spoke after talks with European Union (EU) leaders aimed at working out the details of a new, closer partnership between Canada and the bloc. The negotiations come as Canada is engaged in difficult trade talks with US President Donald Trump.

Associate membership

The EU delegation in Montreal was led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. They discussed von der Leyen's proposal for "associate membership", a status that does not currently exist for any other country. The government of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz resists the label.

Carney stressed that he uses the same term. In his words, it means the closest possible partnership short of full EU membership, because Canada is not geographically in Europe and so cannot accede to the union.

Areas of cooperation

Asked whether a new transatlantic bloc without the US was taking shape, Carney replied that the aim is to diversify and deepen Canada's partnerships rather than exclude the US. He noted that both Canada and the EU are US allies within NATO, but said that in many areas Canada's cooperation with Europe would be much deeper than with the US.

As existing examples he cited the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the research programme Horizon Europe and the student exchange programme Erasmus+. Cooperation could be expanded in space technologies, artificial intelligence and critical minerals.

Attitude toward the US

Carney said the bonds between Canadians and Americans are too deep to be derailed by particular governments or leaders. On dealing with Trump, he said the approach is to be direct and clear about one's bottom lines, show respect and keep bringing negotiations back to the core issues. On possible new US tariffs or punitive measures, he said Canada has been living with this for some time and considers the US justifications unjustified under the trade agreement.

Carney stressed that the talks with Brussels are not against anyone but are a positive step to help solve global problems.