Arabic version: وزير كندي يحثّ المملكة المتحدة على الانضمام إلى تحالف أوروبي

According to BBC News, Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the UK should “team up” with a proposed economic alliance between Canada and Europe. He described the initiative as an effort to build “an alliance of the future”, arguing that changing global conditions require new partnerships.

Champagne said Canada and the UK shared values and were aligned in their vision of the world. “We are independent and sovereign, but we are stronger together,” he said. His comments followed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to open the door to an associate EU membership for Canada, an unprecedented move for the bloc.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the EU in Strasbourg shortly after the proposal. Champagne said the visit was intended to help build the future alliance. Carney, a former Governor of the Bank of England, has previously advocated an alliance of “middle powers” focused on economic growth, resilience and security.

The discussions come while Canada remains in an escalating trade war with the US after talks broke down in August. Both countries have imposed tariffs. Champagne said Canada had acted to protect its industries, workers and country, and that its response had been “measured, targeted and strategic”, with tariffs imposed dollar for dollar.

He said Canada did not seek escalation and would reengage with the US “at the right time”, while supporting affected industries for “as long as it takes and whatever it takes”. Champagne said the dispute created an opportunity for Canada to diversify, while details of the EU’s associate-membership offer have yet to be formalised.