# Canada-EU diplomatic and trade relations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canada-eu-diplomatic-and-trade-relations > Updated: 2026-09-08T15:34:06.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 4. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg this September to deliver a formal address to MEPs. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has designated Carney as an ‘invited guest of honor’ to strengthen ties between Canada and the European Union. This diplomatic engagement follows the collapse of trade negotiations with the United States, which left Canada seeking to diversify its economic and security partnerships. Tensions with the Trump administration have escalated, including the imposition of 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods. Bilateral trade has faced significant strain, with a reported decrease of nearly $2 billion in goods and services during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2024, driven largely by an 18.9% drop in the motor vehicles and automotive parts sector. Carney has signaled a strategic shift toward Europe to ensure Canada is not held ‘hostage’ by foreign economic coercion. In response to these pressures, Canada has set an ambitious goal to double its exports to non-U.S. markets by 2035. While Carney maintains that Canada remains open to a ‘fair and mutually beneficial’ trade agreement with Washington and has held recent communications with President Trump, the focus remains on reducing economic dependence on the United States. Negotiations are underway for a comprehensive new strategic partnership between the EU and Canada covering trade, security, defense, technology, and critical minerals. This initiative aims to establish a new transatlantic alliance led by middle powers to counterbalance the influence of the United States and China. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce these plans on September 16 in Strasbourg during her State of the Union address. Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament the following day, September 17. ## Claims - The European Commission and Canada are negotiating a new, comprehensive partnership. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce the plans on September 16. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Canada is seeking cooperation as close as possible to the EU without formal membership. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will address the European Parliament on September 17. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The partnership aims to cover trade, security, defense, technology, and critical minerals. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The alliance is intended to counterbalance the influence of the United States and China. (corroborated by 9 sources) - A Canada-EU summit is scheduled for late October in Canada. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Canada has already joined the EU's defense procurement program worth approximately $175 billion. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Canada and EU negotiate new strategic partnership Canada and the EU are negotiating a new strategic partnership covering trade, defense, and technology to counterbalance US and China, with an announcement expected from Ursula von der Leyen on September 16. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-and-eu-negotiate-new-trade-and-security-partnership ### 2026-09-05: Canada seeks economic diversification with EU after U.S. trade talks collapse Prime Minister Mark Carney is pivoting toward the European Union to diversify Canada's economy following the collapse of trade negotiations with the United States. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-seeks-economic-diversification-with-eu-after-us-trade-talks-collapse ### 2026-08-27: Canada and EU explore deepening transatlantic partnership Canada and the EU are exploring deeper geopolitical and economic ties, with Prime Minister Mark Carney visiting Strasbourg to discuss expanded cooperation in defense, energy, and trade. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-and-eu-explore-deepening-transatlantic-partnership ### 2026-08-26: Canadian PM Mark Carney to address European Parliament amid US trade tensions Canadian PM Mark Carney will visit the European Parliament in September to address MEPs, seeking to strengthen EU-Canada ties amid escalating trade tensions and tariffs between Canada and the United States. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canadian-pm-mark-carney-to-address-european-parliament-amid-us-trade-tensions-1 --- Cite as: Canada-EU diplomatic and trade relations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canada-eu-diplomatic-and-trade-relations