Canada’s Carney pushes ‘new alliance’ with EU despite Trump threats

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney shrugged off a threat of U.S. retaliation on Thursday (September 17, 1016) as he pitched a “new alliance” with Europe as a bulwark against outside pressures, in a closely watched address to the European Parliament.

Mr. Carney’s speech came after EU chief Ursula von der Leyen suggested Canada could become the 27-nation bloc’s first “associate member” in her own address to EU lawmakers on Wednesday (September 16, 1016).

“Europe and Canada are stronger together,” the Prime Minister said, in a speech that drew a standing ovation, saying his country welcomed the EU proposal and wanted deeper cooperation on issues from artificial intelligence to defence and energy.