Canada and EU can form strategic supply chains, European Commission president says

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Defence Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Defence Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Defence Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeNewsEconomyCanada and EU can form strategic supply chains, European Commission president saysUrsula von der Leyen says she is working to create 'an alliance for the future' that begins with CanadaEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks ahead of the 21st EU-Canada summit in Montreal on Oct. 29, 2026. Photo by Alexis Aubin/AFP via Getty ImagesEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says international order is in decay and she is working to create “an alliance for the future” that begins with Canada.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountShe said the alliance would unite Europe with Canada to form strategic supply chains, mentioning raw materials such as critical minerals, semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence and more.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“We have two options here,” she said during a speech in Montreal on Wednesday. “To go it alone, to see this as a zero-sum game where each country or economy focuses on building up its own leverage or its own capabilities with the result that everyone feels less secure and more isolated. Or we can take a more strategic approach with trusted partners that face the same challenges, but have different assets to respond.”SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againIn her vision, von der Leyen said the strategic supply chain would marry Canada’s resources, such as its mining sector, with Europe’s industrial demand, technology and investment.She also said Canada can never fully join the EU because of its geographical location, but closer ties can benefit both countries.Canadian exports of cobalt, lithium, nickel and graphite — all considered battery metals — to the EU increased 62 per cent as measured by value, she said. In raw numbers, exports increased by $5.2 billion.Von der Leyen said she would finalize a deal on Friday to bring Canada into Europe’s infrastructure for supercomputing. Europe has some of the most advanced supercomputers in the world, she said. and joining forces would advance artificial intelligence development.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Last month, two artificial intelligence companies, Canada’s Cohere Inc. and Germany’s Aleph Alpha GmbH, announced plans to form a combined entity valued at roughly $20 billion, with dual headquarters in Toronto and Berlin, Germany.Von der Leyen also said there is an opportunity for military cooperation, particularly in the Arctic, where ice sheets are melting and opening up new trade routes.“This is a moment of extraordinary opportunity, but it is also a difficult moment,” she said. “On both sides of the Atlantic, our citizens feel the strain. Many fear the future, what it will mean for their livelihoods, their families and communities. But difficult moments also show us who we are, what we stand for and who stands with us.”This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.