The European Union and Canada are preparing to significantly expand their economic and security cooperation, with a broad partnership expected to be unveiled at an October summit as trade tensions with the United States continue.

European and Canadian leaders are expected to announce the new partnership during the EU-Canada summit in Montreal on October 29-30. A draft joint statement outlines plans for closer cooperation on trade, critical minerals, energy, defense, technology, Ukraine and other areas.

The effort comes as Canada seeks to broaden its international economic relationships amid its ongoing trade dispute with the Trump administration. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada remains open to a trade agreement with Washington while also pursuing deeper ties with other partners, including the EU.

Critical minerals are expected to be a major component of the partnership. Canada and the EU already have a strategic partnership covering raw materials, and both sides are seeking to strengthen supply chains and increase investment in minerals considered important to economic and national security.

Energy is another central area of cooperation. The EU and Canada have discussed expanding Canadian energy exports to Europe, including liquefied natural gas, while also cooperating on nuclear power and other energy technologies. European officials have described Canada as an important potential partner for diversifying energy supplies.

The proposed relationship would extend well beyond trade and natural resources. The two sides are expected to pursue closer cooperation on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, cybersecurity and economic security, while integrating portions of their defense industries and making the Arctic a major focus.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the ambitions in her September State of the Union address, saying the EU and Canada would create a technology alliance, integrate defense industrial bases and work together on the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, AI, quantum technology and cybersecurity. She also proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU's first associate member.

Support for Ukraine is also expected to remain part of the expanded cooperation as Canada and European countries coordinate more closely on defense and security. The EU has already identified Canada as a key partner in its broader defense and security framework.

The draft plans also include a joint response to the growing threat of wildfires. According to the draft statement cited in the reporting, Canada and the EU intend to purchase 50 De Havilland water bombers that could be deployed in both Canada and Europe beginning in 2030.

The partnership would represent a substantial expansion of an already close EU-Canada relationship, with Brussels and Ottawa seeking to coordinate more closely on trade, energy, technology, resources and defense as the global economic and security environment continues to shift.