CARNEY BECOMES FIRST NON-EU LEADER AT EU STATE OF UNION SPEECH

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is travelling to Strasbourg this week, becoming the first non-EU head of government to attend the State of the Union address delivered by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, scheduled for Wednesday. He is also set to deliver his own speech to the European Parliament and meet MEPs, with one report saying this would take place the following day. One report also said his European trip includes a stop in Liverpool. Carney's visit forms part of a wider push by Ottawa to strengthen ties with Europe amid strained relations with Washington under President Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Carney said Canada is not seeking to join the EU but wants to begin discussions on what he called a "unique alliance" with the bloc, comparable to arrangements the EU has with Iceland and Switzerland, though this could require a new status category for a non-European country. One report said the Wall Street Journal had reported Carney was exploring "associate membership" of the EU, but another report cited a senior Canadian official telling the Associated Press that Ottawa was not seeking a Norway- or Switzerland-style deal and had not proposed associate membership, instead wanting a bespoke arrangement focused on investment, trade and security, potentially including visa-free rights for Canadians to live and work in the bloc. Canada has already become the first non-EU country to join the EU's defence procurement programme, and Carney was involved in Canada joining the European Broadcasting Union.

The visit follows the collapse last month of talks aimed at avoiding US tariffs on Canadian goods, after which Washington imposed 50% duties on roughly C$28 billion of Canadian exports in late August. Ottawa responded with counter-tariffs of up to 15, 25 or 50% on about C$27.6 billion of US imports. Carney said Canada and the EU "share the same values" and have "complementary strengths." The EU, also affected by US tariffs, is separately looking to diversify its international alliances.