Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called on the 10 EU countries that have yet to ratify the bloc’s trade agreement with Canada to complete the process, as Ottawa seeks to deepen relations with Europe following the collapse of trade negotiations with Washington.
In an interview with the Financial Times (FT), Carney appealed to Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Slovenia, arguing that stronger ties with Europe represent the most effective course for Canada in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The prime minister described the trade agreement as a “positive initiative” that benefits both Europe and Canada, saying it would make the two sides “more sovereign, more resilient, more independent” and more prosperous.
Although the agreement is already effectively being implemented, Carney said ratification by the remaining EU members could pave the way for closer cooperation. “I would like to use this opportunity to encourage them to do so,” he told the FT.
Carney also expressed confidence that US trade talks could resume, despite urging American officials last month to take a more constructive approach to negotiations.
“When the right opportunity comes, we’ll sit down and negotiate,” he said.
The push for ratification forms part of Ottawa’s wider effort to strengthen its relationship with Europe. Canadian and European officials are separately working to expand cooperation in areas including critical minerals, education, digital infrastructure and Arctic security, with a meeting scheduled in Montreal next month expected to advance those efforts.
The Canada-EU trade agreement, which entered provisional force in 2017, remains unratified by 10 of the bloc’s 27 member states, largely due to concerns that Canadian agricultural imports could put additional pressure on European farmers.
Carney’s European outreach comes after months of worsening trade tensions with Washington. In August, US President Donald Trump introduced additional 50% tariffs on certain Canadian products, including automobiles, alcohol and dairy goods. Trump has also suggested that Canada could become the 51st US state and ordered Lake Ontario to be renamed “Lake America.”
Carney is due to address the European Parliament on September 17, where he is expected to present Canada as a dependable partner as its relationship with the United States continues to deteriorate.
By Jeyhun Aghazada
