Speaking in Strasbourg on September 17, 2026, Carney welcomed the ambition of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal and said a future alliance would be defined jointly. He presented resilience and sovereignty as goals, saying he was not proposing a third bloc to rival a great power.
He called for deeper cooperation on critical minerals, defence production, artificial intelligence, energy, space and payments. Other proposals included smoother digital trade in non-agricultural goods and services, and more opportunities for young people to live, work and study across the Atlantic.
The speech outlined Canada’s proposed direction. It did not announce a completed agreement or establish that Canada had joined the European Union.
