Canada urges the UK to join a proposed future alliance with the EU

Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has urged the UK to “team up” with a proposed Canada-Europe alliance. Speaking to the BBC, he said the countries shared values and could be stronger together.

The idea follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to “open the door” to talks on associate EU membership for Canada. The details of the proposal have not yet been formalised.

A Canada-EU-UK alliance

Champagne linked Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meetings with European institutions to efforts to build what he called an alliance for the future. Carney has previously discussed cooperation among “middle powers” on economic growth, resilience and security.

Carney has also identified possible Canadian participation in European university, scientific research, artificial intelligence and defence programmes. He said young Canadians and Europeans could be able to study and live across the Atlantic.

Canada could supply critical minerals and gas to Europe while seeking access to advanced European technologies. The BBC reported that Canada and the EU view the model as a possible route for like-minded countries that may not pursue full membership, including Australia.

The trade dispute with the US

The discussions on closer European ties come as Canada remains involved in a trade war with the US. After talks broke down in August, both countries imposed retaliatory tariffs, while Donald Trump threatened additional duties on the EU if the associate-membership plan proved “hostile” to the US.

Champagne said Canada had not chosen the conflict but had responded “dollar-for-dollar, tariff-for-tariff” to US measures. He said Ottawa had not sought escalation and would re-engage with Washington “at the right time”.

The minister pledged support for affected industries “as long as it takes and whatever it takes”. He said Canada’s strong fiscal position supported its resilience and described the dispute as an opportunity to diversify the country’s economic relationships.