PM Carney heads to Armenia to meet with European leaders as U.S. trade tensions rise

Canadian Ambassador-designate to the EU Jonathan Wilkinson discusses deepening Canada's ties to Europe on trade and the fight against climate change.

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney will head to Yerevan, Armenia, this weekend for a brief stop as a guest at a meeting of the European Political Community.

The gathering will bring together leaders from the European Union and non‑EU countries, including the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland. It marks the first time a Canadian prime minister has been invited to the forum.

Carney is attending at the invitation of EU European Council President Antonio Costa.

The European Political Community (EPC) was created in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the aim of keeping EU and non‑EU countries aligned on issues such as security, energy, migration and trade.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said Carney is focused on “building our strength at home” while “deepening our relationships with reliable partners around the world.” The statement said Canada has strengthened and expanded its relationship with the EU during Carney’s first year in office.

The visit comes as Canada and European countries face growing trade tension with the United States, as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. On Friday, he threatened new 25‑per‑cent tariffs on all European cars imported into the United States.

“Based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Canada’s newly appointed ambassador to the European Union, John Wilkinson, said the shift is an opportunity for closer ties.

“In many ways, Canadians are the most European of any non‑European country in the world,” Wilkinson told CTV’s Power Play. “It is an opportunity for us to move Canada forward.”

Wilkinson said Canada has room to expand trade, defence and security co‑operation with Europe, including in the Arctic.

Armenia will be the 21st country Carney has visited since becoming prime minister, with Europe a central focus of his travel.

Analysts say the strategy reflects an effort to reduce Canada’s reliance on the United States.

“This is all part of broadening relationships to reduce dependency on the U.S.,” said Ferry de Kerckhove of the University of Ottawa’s School of Public and International Affairs. “Having a leader engaging one‑on‑one or in a group setting is fundamental.”