Canada launches strategic EU partnership amid US tensions
發佈日期: 2025-07-12 20:59
TVB News
Amid trade tensions with the U.S., Canada has announced the launch of a strategy of industrial dialogue with the European Union in a bid to seek closer economic ties.
Melanie Joly, Canada's Ministry of Industry, stood side by side - literally and symbolically - with European Commission Prosperity and Industrial Strategy chief Stephane Sejourne.
It was to show the United States and Donald Trump that Canada has some powerful friends.
"We are not alone in this world, we need to be closer to our allies," said Joly. "It's been only 15 days that the prime minister signed an agreement with the E.U. to make sure that not only that, of course we have free trade agreement, but that we are very closely aligned on defence and all our industrial policies. And we are trying to make sure that ultimately, while the US is becoming weaker, we will become stronger and we will diversify and turn ourselves towards Europe."
In March, the U.S, imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium products.
Canada then slapped counter-measures on U.S. imports, with 25 percent tariffs on goods such as vehicles, meat, dairy products and other produce that are not part of a U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade pact.
In retaliation, Trump has threatened 35 percent tariffs on Canada to take effect on August 1. Joly said Canada will stand firm.
"Canada is the only country on earth, along with China, has that imposed so many counter tariffs," she said. "So, we have had already a very strong response and we want to make sure that while we are putting pressure on the American administration at the same time we are protecting jobs while creating jobs."
Canada's unemployment rate fell slightly to 6.9 percent in June with surprise job growth in the wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance.
Joly said the kind of economic diplomacy the country is embarking on with Europe would not be necessary during normal times.
"We are not in normal times and economic diplomacy is more important than ever," she said. "And that's why we need to make sure that while the US is closing its markets, and really taking its own path regarding protectionism, that we as a stable and democratic country continue to have open markets including with EU."
