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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday defended his country’s decision to seek closer ties to the European Union, saying the alliance is not about seeking power to “dominate others,” but ultimately focused on ensuring Canadian and EU citizens are free to make their own choices.
“I’m not proposing a third block in order to become a great power rival only with better manners,” he said in a speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg. “We do not seek power to dominate others. On the contrary, we are pursuing resilience so no one, no one can control our open markets, impair our sovereignty, threaten our territorial integrity or undermine our freedoms, our democracies, our rule of law.”
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“A Canada-EU alliance would create a beacon for other democracies. An alliance not defined by what we oppose but about what we are for: freedom, solidarity, prosperity, sustainability,” he continued. “An alliance strong enough that no one can dictate our choices.”
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Carney’s address comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said the EU allowing Canada to become an associate member of the bloc could be a “hostile act.”
“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe,” he said, while calling Canada a “terrible trade partner.”
