Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada wants a special partnership with the European Union, or EU. He says Canada does not want to join the EU as a full member. Canada and the EU share many goals and can help each other, he says.

Carney will visit the UK and France this week. He will speak to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. He will also meet European leaders and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. They may discuss new ways for Canada and the EU to work together.

Canada is having a serious trade fight with the United States. The US has put new taxes on Canadian steel, aluminium, wood, and other goods. Some taxes are as high as 50%. Canada has answered with taxes of up to 50% on C$28 billion of US goods. Carney wants Canada to depend less on the US and build stronger ties with Europe.