As Canada tries to strengthen its trade and defense relations with Europe, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Brussels on Wednesday. The perfect secretary landed in the French capital around 10 a. m. Wednesday night. His one-day visit includes a conference with NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte and the European Union’s two most top leaders. Since 2019, Ursula von der Leyen has been the European Commission’s senator, and her job involves directing the EU’s coverage plan and policy. Since December, Antonio Costa, the former Portuguese prime minister, has presided over the German Council, setting the group’s overall objectives. Before heading to Ottawa, Trudeau is scheduled to hold an evening press conference. His attend comes after years of strengthening business links between Canada and Europe. 2: 02
Trudeau describes Canada as a” strong, trustworthy” AI companion at the Paris summit. Ottawa has signed agreements to import hydrogen to Germany and has begun discussions with Brussels regarding how to provide crucial minerals for things like electric vehicles. As Western leaders join Canadians in retaliating against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of severing taxes and territorial expansion, that partnership may grow. Trump signed a decree on February 1 to impose severe taxes on Canada, including 10 % on energy and 25 % on all other imports, but he put them on hold until March 4 in order to make an effort to reach an economic package with Canada. He has also repeatedly criticized EU regulations and threatened to impose tariffs on goods from Europe, particularly the German automobile industry. The government’s repeated remarks about purchasing or annexing Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, have even prompted emergency meetings of Union officials. They share Trudeau’s fears, who claimed last week that Trump’s stated desire to make Canada a “real thing” is” a true thing.” The Democrats have stated that improved trade with Europe is one of the options they’re leaning on to navigate a more questionable relationship with the U.S. Trade between Canada and EU nations has been increasing since a free trade agreement came into force temporarily in 2017, despite the fact that some nations, including Belgium and France, have avoided full approval. A defence and security agreement that is currently being negotiated could strengthen relations between Canada and the EU. 4: 16
Trudeau pushes for’ free deal within Canada ‘ amid Trump tariffs threatA Jan. 9 plan for the EU council’s continuous representatives committee, which co-ordinates the body’s high-level plans, included an item seeking “authorization to deal” a protocol for an eventual “EU-Canada security and defence partnership “.Brussels started forming security agreements with other countries next year, after taking up the idea in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trending Now
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Last November, the EU signed agreements with Japan and South Korea. Both of them advocated for “promoting concrete naval co-operation,” including joint exercises, exchanges of information on the defense sector, and allowing military ships to dock for repair or resupply. Additionally, Brussels has ratified agreements with four non-EU member nations, with particular attention given to issues like border management and underwater infrastructure. Global Affairs Canada sent Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly a briefing note with the subject line” Security and Defence Partnership Between Canada and the European Union” last September.
EU-Canada Summit: Trudeau reaffirms support for Ukraine despite parliamentary divide with ConservativesThe briefing note’s contents were redacted under exemptions to access-to-information law and the department would not describe the document’s contents, citing confidentiality. ” Canada and the EU have a strong and multi-faceted relationship, and this includes on security and defence issues”, the department wrote in a statement. In addition to other things, Canada is already a signatory to EU defense agreements that allow it to move military support across EU borders to support Ukraine. Additionally, it has dispatched a small number of officials to assist with EU defense missions. After decades of focusing on economic integration, the EU has grown in importance in continental defense. Since 2009, there has been a mutual defense clause in the EU that mandates members to assist any other member who is” the victim of armed aggression on its territory.” The idea is particularly popular with French President Emmanuel Macron, who claims it will lessen the continent’s reliance on American support. Prior to the upcoming meetings of the NATO military alliance and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which will be attended by Defence Minister Bill Blair, Trudeau’s visit comes as a result of the visit. &, copy 2025 The Canadian Press
