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EU-Canada relations

Summary

  • The EU and Canada are like-minded partners who uphold democracy and share common values. 
  • Canada is the first country to be invited to be an associate member of the EU.
  • Both parties cooperate in strategic areas, such as trade, environmental protection and technological innovation. 

The EU and Canada are set to build a deeper and more integrated relationship with unparalleled trade access, shared values and complementary economic strengths. They hold bilateral summits once a year, as set out in their Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).

Towards a new partnership

At the 2026 summit, the EU and Canada took steps towards a closer partnership with the launch of an alliance for the future. This will create a common space for growth, prosperity, resilience and economic security.

The summit opened discussions on how to make Canada the first associate member to the EU. This would mean

  • shaping policies together with closer alignment on issues from climate and energy to artificial intelligence (AI) and the Arctic
  • bringing Canada into EU programmes, including deeper cooperation under Horizon Europe and full participation in Erasmus+
  • bringing institutions closer together, starting with the upcoming Government-to-College meeting
Participation of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in the EU - Canada Summit, in Montreal
29 October 2026 - Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission, during the 21st EU-Canada summit in Montréal, Canada.
Relations at the highest possible level - what are the possibilities?

Building on numerous existing agreements and cooperation between the EU and Canada, this new model of association will span a wide range of areas, potentially including but not limited to:  

  • investment in critical mineral projects 
  • breaking down digital trade barriers 
  • integrating defence industrial bases 
  • joint support for Ukraine 
  • investing in fighting wildfires

Structures will be put in place to ensure that the EU and Canada mutually support and reinforce each other.

Common areas of action

  • Trade

    Trade between the EU and Canada

    The EU is Canada's second-largest trading partner, after the United States and ahead of China. Both the EU and Canada are among the largest traders of goods and services in the world.

    Mutual trade is conducted according to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which provisionally entered into force in September 2017. By 2024, 99% of all tariff lines had been abolished.

    The EU and Canada have also concluded negotiations on

    • a Digital Trade Agreement
    • an agreement between the European Investment Bank and Canada to facilitate European investment in critical Canadian resources, in particular in critical raw materials
    • a modernised EU-Canada Competition Cooperation Agreement

    EU-Canada trade facts

  • 80.00%growth in bilateral trade in goods and services under CETA (2016-2025)
  • €130.00billionreached from goods and services traded (2025)
  • Estimated
    €3.20billionincrease of EU’s GDP by each year thanks to the trade deal
What is CETA?

CETA is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between EU and Canada. It brings benefits for people and businesses around Europe, by 

  • eliminating most customs duties and cutting red tape 
  • making it easier for Europeans to work in Canada 
  • ensuring EU companies’ access to the Canadian services market.
  • Climate and environment

    Both are committed to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution

    EU and Canada share the aim of becoming climate-neutral by 2050 and are strengthening efforts to accelerate the green transition through the EU-Canada Green Alliance established in 2023.

    In 2025, Canada joined the EU as co-convener of the Global Methane Pledge, driving the international commitment to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.

  • Energy

    Cooperation on energy

    The EU Canada High-Level Energy Dialogue, established in 2007, brings the two sides together to cooperate on energy. It covers key areas for cooperation such as energy security, energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy supply chains, including for key resources such as hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and nuclear fuels and services. 

    Canada is a net exporter to the EU of most energy commodities and is a significant producer of conventional and unconventional oil, natural gas, hydroelectricity and renewable energy.  

  • Digital

    A shared vision for a digital economy and society at the service of people

    The EU-Canada Digital Partnership, launched in 2023, reflects a shared vision for a digital economy and society at the service of people. The EU and Canada work together on artificial intelligence, secure international connectivity, cyber security, online platforms, digital identity and digital skills.

    To deepen our ties and connect our supercomputing and AI ecosystems, we are working towards Canada joining the Euro High-Performance Computing (EuroHPC) Joint Undertaking.

    The EU and Canada have also agreed to work together through the Destination Earth initiative on advanced AI solutions for wildfires, extreme weather events and climate simulations, and to intensify joint cooperation on Arctic connectivity.

  • €61.00millionHorizon Europe funding for Canadian entities
  • 155.00joint research projectsbetween the EU and Canada under Horizon Europe
  • Education and labour mobility

    Facilitating talent mobility and skills recognition

    The EU aims to create new opportunities to connect more students and higher education staff with Canada in 2027, through Erasmus+ and youth mobility schemes.

    The EU and Canada will work to attract talent, facilitate mobility for skilled workers and improve the recognition of professional qualifications.

     

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