Mark Carney to address European Parliament as Canada turns to Brussels amid Trump’s tariff hammer

Mark Carney will address the European Parliament next month as Canada and the EU seek closer ties as the split with the US escalates under President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The Canadian Prime Minister will address the European Parliament on September 17 and attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech, which sets out the EU’s policy priorities and political direction, a day prior.

While inviting guests of honour is not uncommon, Carney’s invitation is more political than in previous years, when Brussels opted for civil society figures and focused on Ukraine. The timing also follows Carney’s pledge to seek an ever-closer partnership with the EU as the US-Canada trade war escalates in a historic clash.

“The Prime Minister's important visit will be an opportunity to deepen EU-Canada ties and strengthen our bond,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wrote on X on Wednesday.

Last week, trade talks between Canada and the US collapsed after months of difficult negotiations, with Ottawa accusing Washington of interfering in its sovereignty by demanding concessions on the French language, limiting its ability to strike separate trade deals and making excessive demands with too little in return.

The Trump administration argues that Canada is protected by the US, has underspent on defence and that Carney is using “tough guy” tactics for political gain.

The US has imposed duties of up to 50% on Canadian products worth $20 billion (€17 billion) and threatened more duties on key sectors. Canada said it would respond with counter-tariffs “dollar for dollar”, in an unprecedented escalation between the two North American neighbours.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he is also considering renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America”, following his decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as a US state and questioned the border between the two countries, arguing that it was drawn arbitrarily “with a ruler”.

Carney, a former central banker, has advocated for a coalition of so-called middle powers as the international order is thrown into disarray, with the US pursuing an aggressive tariff agenda and seeking greater alignment from its allies.