Greg Quinn: The EU doesn’t want to swallow Canada whole

Closer ties with Europe are only a natural consequence of what is happening in the United States

By: Greg Quinn

Acres of newsprint (virtual and real) has been expended recently following the suggestion that Canada might have a closer relationship with the European Union. As someone who worked for the Brits (but who is also an EU citizen via my Irish passport) let me add to that volume.

But I’d also like to calm some agitation in the process.

Let us start with a clear and unarguable fact — this is not about the EU taking control of Canada, or Canada abandoning its sovereignty or principles to some European “superstate.” Honestly, it isn’t. And if Canadians are worried about that I’d suggest they look to those Albertan friends and colleagues who seem to be cozying up to some fairly nefarious Americans who do want to make Canada the 51^st state.

What Prime Minister Mark Carney, and anyone sensible in the Canadian political system, is doing is seeking to align with like-minded countries. Countries who do not threaten it with annexation. Who do not interfere in its electoral processes and who were not actively promoting one side over the other in referenda. Let’s leave that to the Russians and the Americans.

What the Prime Minister is seeking to do is exactly what he spoke about at Davos — working together with other middle powers because we are stronger together. If we’re not at the table we will be on the menu and get eaten. And the only way to be at the table is to work together.

But this isn’t just about politics. It’s also about economics. About seeking to find new markets. To try and reduce dependence on the United States, which is not a country any of us can really trust anymore.

Canada will never, of course, be able to remove completely the importance of its American neighbours for trade purposes. Indeed no one is suggesting it should. But it can reduce its dependence. And it does that by reaching out to countries who share its values. In a way that, sadly, the United States no longer does.

So what is wrong with talking to the EU about a closer trading relationship? No one complains when Canada talks to the United Kingdom or other countries about that. The only tangible difference is that Canada is talking to a block of countries, not to one at a time.

But in reality that makes absolutely no difference at all.

The Prime Minister himself said:

‘We should deepen our people-to-people ties, allowing our youth to live, work and study where they want on either side of the Atlantic.’

Please, someone tell me what is so wrong with that?

Associate membership, or whatever it is called — keep in mind here that the actual term does not yet exist — would guarantee Canada’s sovereignty, independence and strategic autonomy. It would enhance youth and labour mobility, and build economic and strategic cooperation in finance, defence, critical minerals and energy.

Once again, can someone tell me what is the problem with this suggestion?

Indeed I’d be encouraging my own UK to follow the same line and (re)build the same relationship with the EU.

That Donald Trump publicly mocked the concept of a closer Canada-EU bond as “laughable” and warned of potential tariffs should it come to pass is probably another reason why it is a good idea. Despite the U.S. President’s commentary, his country has lost significant amounts of influence and understanding in this world. Making America Great Again has entailed cozying up to dictators and alienating allies.

If I was Canada, and indeed my advice to the U.K. is the same, I’d take this as an indication of the need to build the relationship with others, including the EU.

So let’s not get too worked up about this. Let’s take it for what it is — a sensible approach to build relationships with like-minded countries in the face of a hostile and provocative neighbour and “ally.”

In the face of the threats and comments being thrown at Canada, it would be reckless and a failure of leadership if Carney didn’t seek to build these new relationships. And anyone who says otherwise, whilst approving of U.S. interference, should probably take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror.

Greg Quinn OBE is a former British Diplomat who has served in Estonia, Ghana, Belarus, Iraq, Washington D.C. (seconded to State Department), Kazakhstan, Guyana (as High Commissioner), Suriname (as Ambassador), The Bahamas (as High Commissioner), Canada (as Consul General Toronto and Calgary), and Antigua and Barbuda (as resident British Commissioner) in addition to stints in London. He now runs his own government relations, business development and crisis management consultancy: Aodhan Consultancy Ltd.

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