Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s annual State of the Union address at the European Parliament

in Strasbourg on September 16, signalling closer political and economic ties between Canada and the European Union.

A European official confirmed Carney’s planned attendance to AFP, adding an international dimension to an address traditionally focused on the European Commission’s priorities for the year ahead.

Von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech is one of the European Union’s key political events. Each year, the Commission president uses the address to assess the bloc’s progress and set out its legislative and policy agenda for the coming 12 months, covering issues ranging from the economy and trade to security, energy and foreign policy.

Carney’s presence comes as Canada seeks to strengthen partnerships with Europe amid growing tensions with the United States over trade. Washington’s protectionist policies and tariff measures have encouraged Ottawa to diversify its economic relationships and deepen cooperation with countries committed to open markets and the rules-based international order.

Since taking office, Carney has repeatedly stressed the importance of expanding Canada’s economic and strategic partnerships beyond the United States. The EU, with its large single market and established trade relationship with Canada, is a natural partner in that effort.

The two sides are also preparing for a major bilateral meeting later this year. Canada and the European Union are due to hold a summit in Ottawa at the end of October, where leaders are expected to discuss trade, investment, security and broader cooperation.

Carney’s appearance alongside von der Leyen in Strasbourg is therefore likely to be viewed as another indication of the increasingly important relationship between Ottawa and Brussels at a time of significant uncertainty in global trade.

The visit also comes as European governments seek to reinforce alliances with like-minded partners and protect the multilateral trading system from growing geopolitical and economic pressures. Photo by European Communities, Wikimedia conmons.