Canada is seeking to strengthen its role as an energy supplier to Europe, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) among the exports Ottawa hopes to expand. Prime Minister Mark Carney described Canada as an increasingly important energy partner for European countries during the Canada-European Union summit, which ended in Montreal on October 30.
The meeting marked a broader rapprochement between Ottawa and Brussels, covering areas including trade, defence and artificial intelligence. Both sides are looking to reduce their dependence on major powers such as the United States and China, while Canada is highlighting its natural resources as a strategic asset.
An “alliance for the future” signed at the summit calls for faster Canadian exports to the EU, including critical minerals and LNG. Canada is the world’s fifth-largest LNG producer and could become an additional source of supply for European countries seeking greater diversification.
French minister for foreign trade and attractiveness Nicolas Forissier said that diversifying hydrocarbon supplies had become an urgent priority for France and Europe. He argued that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz demonstrated the need for better anticipation and a broader distribution of energy resources in case of future disruptions.
Canada’s plans nevertheless face practical obstacles. The country’s geographical distance from Europe and a lack of infrastructure could make it difficult to increase LNG shipments and limit the scale of its ambitions.
Sources: Le Monde Économie.