Trump’s tariffs steer Canada towards the EU, which welcomes the move

Brussels – “Thanks to Donald Trump, the EU and Canada are closer than ever.” Sharing his thoughts, reasoning, and even political stance is Tomáš Zdechovsky, a Czech MEP from the EPP. He is not a leading figure in the European Parliament’s main political group, but he is nonetheless a voice for the European People’s Party, which pulls the strings in the EU. This new Euro-Canadian closeness, Zdechovsky argues, is nothing more than the logical response to the new tariffs imposed by the US President on “Made in Canada” goods, accompanied by insults only the current occupant of the White House knows how to hurl at his counterparts.

The tone in which the US administration is addressing its neighbour and historically allied country is indeed over the top: “‘We don’t need Canada; it is they who need us,” the US President wrote on his Truth profile. He then threatens: “Canada will no longer be treated as a state! When it comes to trade, and indeed in other areas too, they are amongst the worst nations in the world to deal with.” These remarks accompanied the announcement of 50 per cent tariffs on cars, trucks, automotive components and steel produced in Canada – decisions which, while fuelling conflicts across North America, are simultaneously giving a further boost to the new phase of relations between Canada and the European Union. 

After all, precisely because of Trump’s unpredictability, Canada has become the EU’s key partner in international politics, with a purely strategic rapprochement that saw the Ottawa government’s participation in the EU defence programme, leading to an unprecedented level of involvement. The new tariff offensive now offers a further opportunity for an ever-closer relationship between the 27 member states and Canada.

 It is Canada’s own prime minister, Mark Carney, who gives Trump the brush‑off and openly challenges him: “This autumn, we will begin intensive discussions with the European Union, the world’s second-largest economy, to build a much stronger and deeper economic and security partnership,” he told the press and the public during his official visit to Quebec.

 In short, Trump’s moves are reshaping alliances, with the EU expressing its heartfelt gratitude. The EPP isn’t making a big deal of it, leaving it to its members to say so.