Canada hosts Costa and Von der Leyen at summit in Montreal

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting EU leaders António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen in Montreal to enhance economic, technological, and defense cooperation. The summit, scheduled for October 29-30, aims to establish a strong alliance amid global instability, focusing on trade, security, energy, critical minerals, AI, quantum technologies, and space industry. The EU is Canada's second-largest trading partner, with trade valued at approximately CAD 178 billion in 2025. The summit will continue the Strategic Partnership for the Future Canada-EU and the Security and Defense Partnership, initiated in June 2025. Carney's participation in European initiatives has opened significant commercial opportunities for Canadian companies.