Key Facts

• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are expected to attend.
• The summit is expected to build on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2017 and removes duties on up to 99 percent of imported goods between Canada and the EU.
• Von der Leyen proposed in September that Canada become the EU’s first associate member, and Carney welcomed the proposal.
• The article says Canada sent nearly 80 percent of its exports to the United States before President Donald Trump’s tariffs strained relations.
• After trade talks between Ottawa and Washington broke down in August, Trump imposed a 50 percent levy on $20 billion of Canadian goods, according to the article.
• Canada responded with tariffs on selected U.S. goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances, farm equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.
• The EU says Canada is the only non-European participant in its Security Action for Europe defence procurement programme, which provides €150 billion in loans to EU member states.
• Canada and the EU are expected to explore cooperation in areas including defence, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, research and financial services.