One of the issues that has recently been the subject of extensive debate in European public opinion is the possibility of Canada becoming an “associate member” of the European Union (EU).[i] The fundamental rationale and shared objective bringing Ottawa and Brussels together is to repair the cracks in transatlantic relations caused by the Trump administration and to jointly build the new international order. In this context, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who drew attention with their remarks at the Davos Summit at the beginning of 2026, highlighted the current problems in the international system without explicitly mentioning the United States (US) and called for joint action to overcome them.[ii]
The Trump administration’s use of tariffs as an instrument of pressure (coercion) against the entire world, including Canada and the EU, has contributed to an alignment of interests between these two actors and encouraged them to act together. In other words, the Trump administration’s pressure-based policies, particularly toward the EU, have caused a major rupture in transatlantic relations and, more importantly, have turned Canada into a “bridge country/key actor” helping sustain transatlantic relations. Whereas transatlantic relations had previously been maintained largely through the US and the United Kingdom, the trend has increasingly shifted toward the Canada–United Kingdom axis. As a natural consequence, Germany, one of Europe’s driving forces, has begun strengthening its strategic partnerships with both the United Kingdom and Canada.
The General Security of Information Agreement[iii] announced between Canada and Germany on September 25, 2026, has become the latest and most concrete example of the strategic partnership developing between the two actors. Prime Minister Carney has called for closer relations between Ottawa and Brussels, while Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand has stated that Germany has a central role in this partnership.[iv] At present, Canada is one of Germany’s largest partners outside Europe. The close ties between the two countries have been further reinforced by their shared interests within both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the G7. The Trump administration is at the forefront of these common concerns. During his visit to Canada, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul drew attention to the fact that both Canada and Europe were experiencing “major changes in the international order,” without directly referring to US President Donald Trump or his administration.[v] In an international environment that has become increasingly volatile and fragile due to the uncertainty created by the Trump administration, Germany and Canada are seeking to build an exceptionally reliable strategic partnership.
Strong transatlantic ties are essential for a more secure Europe. The responsibility for preserving these ties does not rest solely with the Atlanticist countries within the EU; it falls predominantly on Germany. Indeed, Germany occupies a position that allows it to serve as a balancing and bridging actor between Atlanticist and Europeanist tendencies within the EU. Particularly in the field of security, Germany regards NATO and its military alliance with the US—including nuclear deterrence—as vital pillars of its national security. In this respect, Germany functions as a “glue” holding the transatlantic ties together. On the North American side of these ties, meanwhile, Canada has begun filling some of the power vacuums created by the US. Canada continues to contribute to European security within NATO. In this context, Canada has deployed more than 2,000 troops in Latvia and has demonstrated that it is a “reliable and determined” ally through its continuous military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.[vi]
Germany and Canada also seek to further advance their security and defense cooperation, including closer cooperation between their defense industries. In addition to Canada’s plans to procure new submarines from Germany, cooperation in the energy sector is also steadily expanding. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has stated that energy supply chains are under threat and that Germany, in particular, needs to purchase more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Canada.[vii] The transfer of this gas is expected to take place through the $10 billion Ksi Lisims Project, a floating LNG export facility that has already completed its regulatory approval processes.[viii] Energy experts note that European countries do not want to become overly dependent on American gas, partly because of the trade tensions with the Trump administration.[ix] In this respect, Canada is emerging as an extremely reliable strategic partner for Europe, helping diversify risks not only in military deterrence but also in energy security and the supply of critical raw materials.
At a time when the global system is evolving toward a multipolar and conflict-prone structure, the transatlantic security architecture requires new lines of solidarity that extend beyond the traditional US–Europe axis. When Germany’s role as a balancing and unifying actor within Europe is combined with Canada’s concrete contributions to European security and energy supplies from the North American side, the result is an exceptionally resilient axis for the future of the transatlantic alliance. The Germany–Canada strategic partnership, extending from military procurement to intelligence sharing and energy security, will both help protect Europe from one-sided dependencies and enable the transatlantic ties to be redesigned. The shift away from the traditional structure of the axis and its reconfiguration around the Canada–United Kingdom line has encouraged European driving forces such as Germany to establish deeper and more resilient strategic partnerships with these two actors. Ultimately, rather than weakening transatlantic relations, the unilateral moves of the US have paved the way for a redistribution of intra-alliance balances and the emergence of a more multi-centered, flexible, and resilient architecture of global cooperation led by Canada and Germany.
[i] “EU chief backs plan for Canada to become ‘associate member’”, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwyzrr9d3dko, (Date Accessed: 08.10.2026).
[ii] “Read Mark Carney’s full speech on middle powers navigating a rapidly changing world”, CBC, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mark-carney-speech-davos-rules-based-order-9.7053350, (Date Accessed: 26.01.2026); “Davos: Germany’s Merz says old world order ‘unraveling’“, Dw, https://www.dw.com/en/davos-germanys-merz-says-old-world-order-unraveling/a-75606240, (Date Accessed: 26.01.2026).
[iii] “Canada inks intelligence-sharing deal with Germany amid bid for closer EU ties”, Global News, https://globalnews.ca/news/12072868/anita-anand-german-trade-security-talks/, (Date Accessed: 08.10.2026).
[iv] Ibid.
[v] Ibid.
[vi] “Germany and Canada – transatlantic friendship, common security”, Auswaertiges-amt, https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/laenderinformationen/kanada-node/2803906-2803906, (Date Accessed: 08.10.2026).
[vii] “‘Our supply chains are under threat,’ German minister says his country wants more Canadian LNG”, CTV News, https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/our-supply-chains-are-under-threat-german-minister-says-his-country-wants-more-canadian-lng/, (Date Accessed: 08.10.2026).
[viii] “Germany, Canada to Sign Major LNG Deal as Europe Seeks Energy Security”, Energy Now, https://energynow.ca/2026/05/germany-canada-to-sign-major-lng-deal-as-europe-seeks-energy-security/, (Date Accessed: 08.10.2026).
[ix] Ibid.
