Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed a comprehensive security and defense agreement with European leaders today Monday in Brussels, marking the first time the EU deepens its security and defense partnership with Canada, allowing Canadian industry to participate in the 150 billion euro "European Security Initiative" (SAFE) project, joint military procurement, etc., showing that Europe and Canada are pursuing the same strategic diversification approach.

Prime Minister of Canada visits the EU

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau visited the EU today, meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, and signing a comprehensive security and defense partnership agreement, similar to the partnership agreement the EU signed with the UK last month.

Canada and the EU held a bilateral summit today Monday in Brussels, launching the EU's intensive diplomacy this week. Both Canada and the EU are disappointed with the unpredictable strategies of the Trump administration in the United States and are trying to distance themselves from the US. Canada and the EU are implementing similar strategies, seeking broader trade partners and diversifying supply chains.

A European diplomat said last Friday: "The EU-Canada strategic partnership agreement will open new opportunities for cooperation in crisis management, military mobility, maritime security, cyber threats, and industrial cooperation in the defense sector, and is one of the most extensive and far-reaching agreements ever signed by the EU with a third country."

EU-Canada Common Security and Defense Architecture

This EU-Canada partnership agreement paves the way for Ottawa to participate in the EU's "European Security Initiative" (SAFE) project, which aims to consolidate and standardize European defense industries. This new mechanism approved by the 27 EU countries in May this year promotes joint procurement of military security equipment by EU member states, with 65% of the equipment required to be produced in the EU or in third countries with security and defense partnerships with the EU.

After the EU and Canada signed the agreement, Canada can join the EU's 150 billion euro loan program "European Security Initiative," becoming an important part of the "Renew Europe" plan.

EU officials revealed that after signing the agreement, Canada still needs to negotiate separately with the European Commission to reach a bilateral agreement in order to officially start specific discussions on procurement cooperation with EU member states.

On June 16, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at the G7 summit held in Alberta, Canada: "It is now time to strengthen Canada's role in the rapidly developing European defense architecture."

Previously, on May 27, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to participate in the "European Security Initiative" project in a political speech.

Canada's Participation in the EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

In addition to security and defense cooperation, the EU-Canada summit also discussed global trade, the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East conflict.

The EU and Canada not only accelerate defense and security cooperation but also further strengthen economic and trade exchanges and reiterate their commitment to fully implement the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, i.e., the Canada-EU free trade agreement.

The trade agreement signed by former Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau in 2016 has had about 90% of its provisions come into effect since 2017, but several EU member states have yet to complete domestic formal ratification.

Since 2017, trade between Canada and the EU has increased by 64%, indicating a good bilateral trade relationship, and the EU and Canada believe that further strengthening bilateral trade flows can be achieved through enhanced regulatory coordination.

Canada Turns to Europe

Analysts point out that the EU-Canada summit achieved two main outcomes: first, issuing a joint statement on global issues such as Ukraine and the Middle East, and second, formally signing the EU-Canada Security and Defense Partnership Agreement, making Canada an important partner of the EU globally. The agreement will open new cooperation in areas such as crisis response, military and maritime security, cybersecurity, defense industry cooperation, and key minerals needed for energy and digital transformation, especially as Canada has abundant mineral resources.

Facing the annexation threat from US President Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau clearly stated his intention to strengthen strategic cooperation with Europe and announced a large-scale investment in Canada's defense budget, pushing defense spending to exceed the NATO target of 2% of GDP. And two days after taking office, he chose Paris and London as his first official visit countries, where during talks with European leaders, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau formally proposed his desire to join the EU's new defense procurement plan "Renew Europe."

Additionally, the NATO summit will be held in The Hague this Tuesday and Wednesday, where NATO members will agree on new defense spending targets. EU member states and Canada are NATO members.

Sources: rfi

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