Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking giant steps to cement Canada’s relationship with Europe, particularly Germany. This takes place against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war, which is shaking the foundations of the global trading system. This shift in strategy foregrounds the optimization of economic partnerships and collaboration on transnational priorities, such as climate change and security, key elements to the Canadian approach.
Over the last few years, Canada and Germany have enjoyed a close and productive partnership on many fronts. They’ve particularly zeroed in on climate-smart initiatives and the advancement of hydrogen technology. In 2021, the two countries concluded a landmark deal. This arrangement positioned Canada to eventually start shipping hydrogen to Europe, which was a significant milestone in their partnership. Germany has shown a clear interest in Canadian hydrogen, in particular for its energy-intensive manufacturing sector that needs cheap, clean fuel.
The partnership extends beyond energy. Expertise from the private and public sectors in Canada. This close collaboration has produced a powerful asset that should be put to work to help bolster Germany’s resilience to homegrown threats. German vessels are still researching actively around Greenland. Their dedication to global warming and marine biology shows an example of powerful concern for the world we live in.
Germany, having been involved with the Arctic Council since its inception in the 1990s, has advocated for measures that build cooperation with Indigenous peoples. Yet in more recent years, Germany has developed a growing interest in the Arctic. They perceive it as a place of possible confrontation. This mutual understanding of security imperatives and ideals deepens the relationship between the two countries.
Bernd Althusmann, the German federal states’ Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport and Digitization, emphasizing the value of the Canada-Germany partnership at a recent roundtable. He stressed that their partnership is as good as ever and it’s “more critical and precious than ever before.” Against the backdrop of today’s geopolitical landscape, Minister Althusmann underscored the need for close cooperation between both nations. He continued, “We need this strong partnership, particularly at this moment in time when no one really knows what’s going to happen in the U.S. over the next few years.”
Canada’s partnership with Germany takes center stage at Hannover Messe. This annual trade fair, the largest in the world, is excited to feature Canada as its showcase country. This platform provides Canadian businesses with an unprecedented opportunity to engage with European markets. Further bolstering the opportunity was the 2017 Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union. Althusmann thinks the agreement can lead to prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.
Germany is to be commended for leading the push for a joint project with Canada and Norway. Together, they hope to produce cutting-edge, nuclear-powered submarines for their combined naval forces. Launched amidst burgeoning security collaboration, this initiative highlights how Israel and India perceive, respond to, and adapt to shifting threats within the changing global security landscape.
“We have much to do for the next (few) years and therefore such a visit … is in the right time,” – Bernd Althusmann
