Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Von der Leyen to Urge EU Solidarity and Canada Ties
Ursula von der Leyen will explain what the European Union should focus on next.
She will say that EU countries need to work together because major problems are too difficult for one country to solve alone.
These problems include climate change, artificial intelligence and competition from China.
She will also support making Europe more independent in energy, raw materials and clean technology.
The EU wants to become closer to Canada because it shares important values with Europe.
Canada may also help Europe find raw materials without relying as much on China.
Von der Leyen will discuss concerns that AI could affect jobs and cybersecurity.
She will also talk about adapting to climate change and improving the EU’s response to migration.
Ursula von der Leyen will call for EU solidarity on climate change, artificial intelligence and competition from China.
She is expected to stress European independence in energy, raw materials and clean technologies.
The EU wants closer ties with Canada, whose Prime Minister Mark Carney will address the European Parliament on Thursday.
Von der Leyen is expected to seek quick results from talks with China over the EU’s €1-billion-a-day trade deficit.
Her priorities will also include climate adaptation, AI-related jobs and cybersecurity concerns, and lessons from migration crises.
- Who
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; EU member states; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; and China.
- What
- Von der Leyen will outline the European Union’s priorities and call for solidarity, independence in key sectors, closer ties with Canada, and action on climate change, AI, trade and migration.
- When
- Her annual address is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16; Mark Carney is scheduled to address the EU assembly on Thursday.
- Where
- The European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
- Why
- The proposals aim to help the EU address shared challenges, reduce dependence on China, respond to climate impacts and migration crises, and ensure its economy benefits from AI.
- Speaker
- Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission
- Institution
- European Union, consisting of 27 countries
- Key partner
- Canada, whose prime minister Mark Carney will address the EU assembly
- Trade issue
- The EU has an approximately €1-billion-a-day trade deficit with China, according to the report
- Climate concerns
- Europe has experienced unprecedented heat waves and wildfires in the previous three months
- AI concerns
- EU leaders are expected to address effects on jobs and cybersecurity
- Migration response
- Von der Leyen is expected to discuss lessons from the events in Ceuta and a possible larger role for Frontex