North America - Canada and the United States
EU's strong partnership with Canada and the United States is crucial to building a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world.
The Partnership between the European Union and Canada
The European Union and Canada are strategic partners. The partnership is rooted in extensive historical, cultural, political and economic links.
Together, they work to ensure the security & prosperity of their citizens and to address major global challenges. They support and promote the rules-based international order. They promote common values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
The partnership is underpinned by two key agreements which both of entered provisionally into force in 2017. The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) provides a framework to enhance our cooperation in many areas, such as security and defence, climate, energy, research and innovation. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) facilitates trade by cutting tariffs and eliminating duties on most goods.
Since 2017, trade between the EU and Canada has significantly increased. In 2024, they exchanged €76 billion in goods and €48.9 billion in services (+ 63% and + 90% respectively compared to 2016).
The EU and Canada also collaborate closely on the green transition, aiming to grow their economies sustainably. They promote an accessible and human-centric digital transition.
At the last EU-Canada Summit in Brussels on 23 June 2025, leaders decided to take a pivotal step to further reinforce the strategic partnership between the European Union and Canada. They agreed on an ambitious agenda to strengthen cooperation across all areas. They also adopted a Security and Defence Partnership.
The Partnership between the European Union and the United States
The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) maintain a strategic partnership based on shared history and solid bonds. This longstanding alliance promotes peace, economic growth, and benefits nearly 800 million people on both sides of the Atlantic.
Together, they share the responsibility to tackle today’s global challenges and to promote common values - including human rights, democracy, freedom and the rule of law - and the rules-based international order.
In terms of security and defence, the EU and US collaborate to ensure transatlantic security and to promote peace and stability around the world.
Economically, their trade and investment relationship is the largest in the world, accounting for 42% of global GDP and 30% of international trade in goods and services. The Joint Statement issued on 21 August 2025 by the EU and the United States brings back an important measure of stability and predictability for the benefit of businesses, workers and consumers. This is a first step in a process which will increase trade and improve market access between the EU and the United States.
The United States is a major partner in meeting the EU need to enhance energy security and achieve the REPowerEU objectives of phasing out Russian energy. Over the next three years, the EU intends to purchase around €700 billion of energy products from the US.
Additionally, our wide-ranging partnership extends to education and culture, with programs designed to connect young leaders and foster idea-sharing. Among them, the most well-known are the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) grants and the EU-US Emerging Leaders Visitors Programme. The European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP) is also a key strategic tool of the EU’s engagement and partnership building with the US.
The latest EU-US Summit took place on 20 October 2023, in Brussels, Belgium.