Canada Is Courting Brussels in Montréal. The Numbers Say Its Future Still Runs Through America
Prime Minister Mark Carney will host EU leaders in Montréal from Oct. 29 to launch an "Alliance for the Future" covering payments, critical minerals and defense. In our view, Canada has every right to diversify, but no European pact can replace the $381.9 billion in goods Americans bought from Canada last year.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 13, 2026 | 6-min read "In three weeks, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, will be in Montréal," Prime Minister Mark Carney said in an Oct. 8 speech. "That is where Canada will launch a new, transformative alliance with the European Union" [1]. A draft joint statement for the summit, which begins Oct. 29, lays out plans on payment systems, critical minerals, digital trade and wildfire fighting [2][3], under the banner of an "Alliance for the Future" [4]. In our view, Canada has every right to make new friends. But the numbers show that its prosperity still runs through the United States, and Ottawa would be wise to remember it. Key Takeaways Canada and the EU will hold a summit in Montréal beginning Oct. 29 to launch a new partnership [1][3]. A draft statement covers linking next-generation payment systems, critical mineral investment and stockpiles, and a joint purchase of 50 water bombers [2][3]. Americans bought $381.9 billion in Canadian goods in 2025, and the U.S. goods