EU-Canada Summit Focused on Developments in the Middle East and Tariffs

During the European Union – Canada Summit, which took place today in Brussels, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, and the Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney addressed the developments in the Middle East.

“Iran has expressed its desire to eliminate the state of Israel. The state of Iran has been a sponsor of terrorism, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and more. These are violations of international law, these are what we examined today,” said the Canadian Prime Minister from Brussels.

“We must all support international law, both in Ukraine and in the Middle East. International law is the foundation of relations between states and must always be respected. The law on nuclear weapons must be upheld, and we must ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. We must strive for peace, avoid further escalation and military actions, and create space for dialogue and negotiations. This is the only path to peace in the Middle East,” said the President of the European Council Antonio Costa.

“We express our deepest concern over the dangerous escalation following the Israeli strikes in Iran and Iran’s response. We reiterate our strong commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East, including the security of Israel, and call on all parties to exercise restraint and adhere to international law. We are firmly clear that Iran can never acquire nuclear weapons. A diplomatic solution remains the best way to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The EU and Canada are ready to contribute to negotiations for an agreement that imposes real constraints on Iran’s nuclear program, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to be responsible for monitoring this agreement,” said the President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

EU-Canada Security and Defense Pact

The two sides proceeded to sign an important Pact for Security and Defense. The Pact provides for cooperation in critical areas such as crisis management and cybersecurity, while also including joint initiatives in the defense sector. This is a step that fits into the broader EU strategy to enhance European strategic autonomy, within the framework of the SAFE program for defense procurement, totaling 150 billion euros.

“It reflects our mutual commitment to peace, transatlantic security, and deeper cooperation to build defense capabilities. It opens new opportunities for companies on both sides of the Atlantic. While NATO remains the cornerstone of our collective defense, this partnership will allow us to enhance our readiness faster and better – to invest more and smarter,” said Mr. Costa. “Our goal will be to contribute to achieving our objectives regarding our capabilities, among other things through our defense industries, faster and more cost-effectively in ways that yield mutual benefit and enhance the European contribution to NATO,” said the President of the Commission.

Trade and Tariffs

The Canadian Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission were also asked during the press conference about the American tariffs and the negotiation process. “Negotiations are currently closed. However, everything can be put on the table when the time comes. Nevertheless, I am absolutely clear on certain issues regarding the sovereignty of the decision-making process in the European Union. This, for us, is absolutely non-negotiable. That is why we are clear about our position,” said the President of the European Commission.

“We will do what is right for Canada. We are working hard to achieve an agreement, but we will not accept any agreement with the United States – only the right agreement. The right agreement is possible, but nothing is certain, nothing is guaranteed. However, what we will do, regardless of the outcome, is to build trade relations with like-minded partners – reliable partners, partners who align with our values,” said Mark Carney.

Additionally, in his speech, Antonio Costa spoke about the benefits of the EU-Canada trade relationship, stating that “due to the Economic and Trade Agreement since 2017, bilateral trade in goods and services has increased by 71%, demonstrating the tangible benefits of our free trade agreement for both citizens and businesses,” said Mr. Costa.

“We are determined to continue working together to address the growing challenges in the international economic and trading order. We reiterate our mutual commitment to sustainable, fair, and open trade, based on the rule of law and respect for internationally agreed trade rules, as they are incorporated into the World Trade Organization. This is essential for maintaining global economic stability and ensuring the resilience of our supply chain,” said Ms. von der Leyen. (23/6/25)