Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a landmark address to the European Parliament on Thursday, calling for a “deeper partnership” with the European Union to safeguard economic sovereignty as trade tensions with Washington continue to mount.

Carney’s speech in Strasbourg follows a historic proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to establish a first-of-its-kind “associate member” status for Canada. Addressing European lawmakers, Carney welcomed the ambition of a transatlantic “alliance for the future,” emphasizing that deeper cooperation in defense, critical minerals, clean energy, and digital technology is essential to withstand growing geopolitical pressure.

“Together, Canada and the European Union can anchor our ground to hold our values while forming a protective canopy under which our citizens can thrive,” Carney told the assembly. “This is about sovereignty—our ability to live as we wish.”

The diplomatic shift comes as Ottawa seeks to rapidly diversify its economy and reduce reliance on trade with the United States following a series of aggressive tariff measures and trade disputes under the Trump administration. While stopping short of seeking full EU integration, Canadian officials are focusing on strategic autonomy and expanding market access across the Atlantic.

The proposal has drawn sharp opposition from Washington. President Donald Trump dismissed the prospect of closer Canada-EU integration as “laughable” and warned European officials that making trade deals with Ottawa could trigger severe U.S. tariff retaliations against the bloc.

Despite the threats from Washington, EU and Canadian negotiators are proceeding with discussions aimed at expanding cooperation under the existing CETA framework, alongside enhanced joint efforts in defense manufacturing and youth mobility.