On the 16th of September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on European Union nations to stand united and forge a new partnership with Canada to tackle climate change, competition from China, and other major challenges, reports Reuters.
In her annual address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen stated that the bloc faces an openly hostile world and outlined priorities for the coming year. She emphasized that solidarity among member states is the only viable solution and that the path forward is clear: building an independent Europe with the power to act.
Russia’s war in Ukraine is raging on the borders of the 27-nation bloc. In trade and other areas, Europe faces fierce rivalry from the United States under Donald Trump and from an increasingly assertive China. Harsh winds are also blowing in European domestic politics, including the rising popularity of far-right political forces—a trend starkly illustrated by state elections in Germany in early September. Polls indicate that far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is leading in France.
Von der Leyen remarked that while the EU is stronger than ever, it can also appear more unstable than ever. The European Commission President, currently serving her second term, also emphasized the need to strengthen Europe’s independence in various areas, including energy, raw material sourcing, and the development of eco-friendly technologies.
To achieve this, the EU must not only work together but also secure strong partners, such as Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was present to hear von der Leyen’s speech and received a warm welcome from European politicians. Von der Leyen stated that Europe seeks to build a top-tier relationship with Canada and called for opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member.
Turning to trade, von der Leyen said the EU would use every available means to reduce the unsustainable trade deficit with China.
The Commission President also noted that the bloc must remain committed to its goal of mitigating climate change while simultaneously taking steps to adapt to it. She pointed to the experience of the past three months, during which the continent was hit by unprecedented heatwaves and widespread forest fires.
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