European Union and Canadian leaders gathered in Montreal this week for a summit aimed at building what organizers described as a broader and deeper alliance between the two.
The summit brought together European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, continuing a relationship that has been built over years, including through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU that has governed much of their trade since 2017. The discussions in Montreal were set to expand cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, supply chains, artificial intelligence, climate policy, security, and the Arctic, along with steps to further integrate Canada into European Union programs.
The timing of the summit, coming amid broader shifts in global trade policy this year, has added to its significance. Both the European Union and Canada have spent the past year navigating a changing trade landscape, and deepening their own bilateral relationship offers both sides a way to diversify their economic partnerships. Canada, in particular, has been working to broaden its trade relationships beyond its traditional reliance on the United States, while the European Union has been pursuing a similar strategy of diversifying its partnerships across multiple regions.
Arctic cooperation was a notable feature of the agenda. Canada is one of eight Arctic nations, and the European Union has been seeking a larger role in Arctic policy as melting ice opens new shipping routes and raises questions about resource development and security in the region. Climate and clean technology cooperation also featured prominently, building on both sides' existing commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Watch for specific agreements or joint initiatives to emerge from the summit in the coming weeks, particularly around supply chains and Arctic policy, two areas both sides have flagged as priorities.
What trade agreement already links Canada and the EU?
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, known as CETA, has governed much of the trade relationship between Canada and the European Union since 2017.
Why does Arctic cooperation matter to this relationship?
Canada is one of the Arctic nations, and the European Union has been seeking a bigger role in Arctic policy as melting ice opens new shipping routes and raises new economic and security questions.