German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to strengthen cooperation with Canada, particularly focusing on transatlantic relations. Following a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Chancellery on Tuesday morning, Merz announced plans to expand collaboration within the defense industry and bolster bilateral trade. This expanded trade will concentrate on future technologies including artificial intelligence, digitalization and robotics.
The Chancellor also expressed support for Canada’s desire for closer ties with Europe, noting that groundwork was laid at the EU-Canada Summit in June, including the signing of a security and defense partnership. He highlighted the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as providing a framework for ongoing trade relations.
Economic ministers from both nations are scheduled to sign a German-Canadian letter of intent on Tuesday, focused on collaboration within the raw materials sector – a development Merz welcomed as a positive step.