Ursula von der Leyen used her annual address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg to set out a sweeping agenda for the next twelve months, touching on defence, trade, climate resilience and digital safety. The speech, delivered in front of a packed chamber and a visiting Canadian delegation, signalled a shift towards deeper trans‑Atlantic cooperation that excludes the United States, while also flagging a tougher stance on China and a series of measures aimed at protecting children online.

New partnership with Canada

Von der Leyen did not name the United States, but she repeatedly highlighted the need for a stronger partnership with Canada. She suggested that Canada could become the EU's first "associate member", a term that has no precedent in EU treaties but would, in her words, allow the two blocs to enjoy "the highest level possible" of cooperation without disadvantaging other partners. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was present in the audience, and his government's recent claim that Canada is "at war" with the United States over punitive tariffs was echoed in the tone of the address.

The proposal raises questions about the legal and institutional framework for such a status. An "associate member" would likely need a bespoke treaty, granting Canada access to certain EU programmes and possibly a seat at the table in policy discussions on trade, security and research. Critics in Brussels warn that creating a new tier of partnership could complicate the EU's already intricate external relations architecture.

European security council and defence autonomy

Turning to security, von der Leyen announced plans for a European Security Council that would bring together EU member states and close allies such as Canada, Norway and the United Kingdom to discuss defence threats. The move is intended to fill a gap in the Union's current structure, which lacks a dedicated forum for coordinated defence policy despite the growing frequency of Russian drone incursions, cyber‑attacks and arson incidents in eastern Europe.

She also warned that the EU remains overly dependent on a single supplier for critical defence equipment. After noting the purchase of US‑made Patriot missiles for Ukraine, von der Leyen called for the development of a "cost‑effective and modular missile‑defence system" involving European and Ukrainian manufacturers. The proposal aligns with broader calls from the European Defence Agency for a more autonomous defence industry, but it will face resistance from member states that rely heavily on US arms contracts.

China trade deficit and industrial policy

On the economic front, von der Leyen delivered a stark assessment of the EU's trade relationship with China. She pointed out that the bloc runs a deficit of roughly €1 billion a day, the difference between Chinese exports to Europe and European exports to China, and described it as a "tipping point" that threatens Europe's industrial heartlands. The Commission president urged Beijing to increase purchases of European goods and signalled that the EU is prepared to use "tools at our disposal" to limit cheap Chinese imports, hinting at possible anti‑dumping measures or stricter customs checks.

European industry groups have welcomed the rhetoric, arguing that a level playing field is essential for the survival of sectors such as automotive, machinery and high‑tech. However, trade experts caution that aggressive protectionism could provoke retaliation and raise prices for European consumers.

New digital safeguards for children

Von der Leyen's criticism of US tech giants was matched by a concrete legislative proposal: a "Kids Act" that would ban social‑media accounts for children under 13 and require parental control for users aged 13 to 15. Platforms would also have to adopt "safe‑design" principles for users up to 18, and demonstrate compliance through regular audits. The Commission framed the measures as a response to "addictive features" and the exposure of minors to extremist content.

The draft law will be presented to the European Parliament later this week. While consumer‑rights organisations have praised the move as a necessary protection for young people, industry bodies such as the European Tech Alliance argue that the rules could stifle innovation and impose disproportionate compliance costs on smaller firms.

AI governance and cooperation with like‑minded partners

In the realm of artificial intelligence, von der Leyen signalled that the EU intends to act as a "policeman" for the technology, working with "like‑minded partners", specifically Canada and the United Kingdom, to assess the safety of advanced AI models. She mentioned that labs such as OpenAI and Anthropic would be invited to discuss how the EU can "pace the frontier" while ensuring that AI systems do not pose systemic risks.

The proposal builds on the EU's existing AI Act, which seeks to classify high‑risk AI applications and impose strict transparency requirements. By extending cooperation beyond the EU, the Commission hopes to create a broader regulatory front that could counterbalance the more permissive approach taken by the United States.

Climate adaptation and heat‑wave preparedness

Describing the recent summer as a "summer of truth" for climate change, von der Leyen warned that Europe is warming at twice the global average. She highlighted a series of adaptation measures: an early‑warning system for heatwaves, a climate‑resilience plan for vulnerable regions, a pan‑European insurance scheme for catastrophic losses, a dedicated fire‑fighting fleet and a water‑management initiative to curb pipeline leaks.

While the Commission reaffirmed the need to cut emissions, the emphasis on adaptation rather than mitigation drew criticism from environmental NGOs, who argue that the EU should double down on renewable energy investment and stricter carbon pricing. The European Climate Foundation noted that the proposed measures, though necessary, risk becoming a "band‑aid" if they are not paired with ambitious decarbonisation targets.

Migration policy and youth employment

On migration, von der Leyen praised the recent decline in irregular arrivals and the acceleration of return procedures for those without legal status. She also warned against "engineered" mass movements, referencing the chaotic influx of migrants through Ceuta in Spain earlier this summer.

To address the root causes of migration, the president called for a Mediterranean youth‑skills and jobs plan, aimed at offering young people in neighbouring countries viable economic prospects. The proposal seeks to combine vocational training with language programmes, hoping to reduce the incentive for risky journeys across the Mediterranean.

Trade unions, represented by the European Trade Union Confederation, welcomed the focus on job creation but urged the Commission to ensure that any new programmes are tied to decent wages and collective bargaining rights.

Future institutional reforms

Closing the speech, von der Leyen announced the launch of a "Congress of Europe" for next year, intended to gather "Europe's most brilliant minds" to craft a long‑term vision for the Union. The idea echoes the 2021 Conference on the Future of Europe, which aimed to increase citizen participation in EU decision‑making, including proposals to let citizens vote on the Commission president and to limit national vetoes on tax and foreign‑policy matters.

Member‑state governments have been reluctant to cede sovereignty, and the success of the upcoming congress will depend on whether it can move beyond symbolic dialogue to concrete institutional reforms. Observers note that the EU's ability to respond to climate shocks, geopolitical tensions and digital challenges will hinge on how quickly it can modernise its governance structures.

Overall, von der Leyen's address painted a picture of an EU seeking to reinforce its strategic autonomy while deepening ties with a select group of allies. The proposals on defence, trade, digital safety and climate adaptation will now face scrutiny in the European Parliament and among the 27 member states, where divergent national interests could shape the final outcomes.