Brussels, 12 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa in Brussels on Wednesday to boost relations with the bloc as ties with the United States worsen.

Trudeau's trip was announced days after the US suspended its planned tariffs of up to 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico after both countries agreed to new border security measures.

But with the threat of US tariffs still looming, Trudeau is focusing on the EU, Canada's second-largest destination for goods and services exports after its superpower neighbour.

"The friendship, the allyship, the partnership between Canada and the European Union has deepened significantly over the years at a time where the world is more unpredictable and uncertain in so many different aspects," said Trudeau, alongside Costa and von der Leyen.

The meeting in Brussels was "to help secure a strong, prosperous future for people on both sides of the Atlantic," a press release issued ahead of the meeting said.

Trade between Canada and the EU reached a total of C$157.3 billion (US$109.8 billion) in goods and services in 2023, according to the Canadian government.

Despite an increase in trade in recent years, commercial relations between the EU and Canada are not untainted.

A far-reaching free trade agreement provisionally entered into force in 2017. The deal however still has not been ratified by all 27 EU member states, meaning it can only be partially applied.

Nevertheless, the deal led to "the creation of thousands of jobs of tremendous prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic," said Trudeau, who announced last month he was stepping down after nine years.

"Trade can be very beneficial and lead to a win-win situation," stressed von der Leyen.

Photo: EBS