Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to European Parliament

Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of England and current United Nations special envoy on climate action and finance, addressed the European Parliament on Thursday, September 17, delivering a speech that emphasized the strategic and economic benefits of deepening cooperation between the European Union and Canada. In his remarks, Carney highlighted the existing Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a foundation for expanded collaboration in areas such as green investment, digital trade, and regulatory alignment, and he urged EU legislators to consider a formal associate membership for Canada to strengthen transatlantic supply chains and climate initiatives.

Carney’s address came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that granting Canada associate EU membership could be perceived as a “hostile act.” The former president’s comment, made during a separate interview, sparked debate about the geopolitical implications of closer EU‑Canada ties. Carney responded by reaffirming that any deepened partnership would be pursued through transparent, rules‑based processes and would aim to reinforce shared democratic values and economic resilience, rather than exacerbate tensions. The European Parliament is expected to review proposals for enhanced EU‑Canada cooperation in the coming weeks.