Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will join European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the most high-profile political moment in the EU's calendar, amid a worsening rift between the U.S. and Ottawa,
Politico reports.
A European Commission official close to von der Leyen confirmed to POLITICO that Carney had accepted an invitation to attend the State of the EU speech in Strasbourg on Sept. 16, where the president will set out her priorities for the bloc.
"Before the summer break, the European Commission President invited Prime Minister Carney for [the State of the Union] both as a strong sign of the closeness of the EU and Canada, and to clearly signal the intention and ambition on both sides to upgrade our partnership," the official said. "In these challenging times, strengthening our relationships across the world is vital."
Carney becomes the first foreign head of government to ever attend the speech, where he will be received as a guest of honor. The Canadian leader will also give a speech to the Parliament the day after von der Leyen’s State of the EU, on Sept. 17, an official familiar with the preparations said.
Carney publicly confirmed the trip later on Wednesday, saying that he will also use his time in Strasbourg to meet with EU lawmakers to “strengthen Canada’s ties with the European Union to the benefit of both our peoples.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the "important visit" will be "an opportunity to deepen EU-Canada ties."
Carney's government walked away from talks on a landmark trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump last week, with both sides accusing each other of imposing last-minute conditions. Washington imposed tariffs on Canadian exports, prompting Canada to retaliate with hard-hitting levies on American steel and aluminum.
The Canadian prime minister has been pushing for an alliance of democracies in favor of free trade and pursuing closer relations with the EU as a result.
"This fall we will begin intense discussions with the European Union, the world's second-largest economy, to build a much stronger and deeper economic and security partnership,” Carney said.
