Amid escalating disagreements between Washington and Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Garni will participate in a key political event of the European Union — the annual speech by the President of the European Commission on the state of the EU.
An official close to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed to Politico that Garni has accepted the invitation to attend her speech in Strasbourg, during which von der Leyen will present the Union's priorities.
“Before the summer holidays, the President of the European Commission invited Prime Minister Garni to participate in her speech (in the European Parliament — IF), which should become a strong symbol of the closeness of EU-Canada relations, as well as clearly demonstrate the intentions and aspirations of both sides to strengthen our partnership,” the source told Politico.“Strengthening our relations in these challenging times is vital for the whole world.”
He also noted that Garni will speak in the European Parliament after von der Leyen's speech.
Earlier, Garni's government had pulled out of negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump over a significant trade agreement, with both sides accusing each other of imposing last-minute conditions. Washington had imposed tariffs on Canadian exports, to which Canada responded by imposing strict tariffs on American steel and aluminum.
“The Prime Minister of Canada advocates for an alliance of democratic countries supporting free trade and seeks closer relations with the European Union,” Politico writes.
