India, Sept. 17 -- Amid escalating tensions between the US and Canada over tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pitched a "new alliance" with Europe as a shield against outside pressures, during his speech to the European Parliament.

Carney's remarks came after EU chief Ursula von der Leyen suggested Canada could become the 27-nation bloc's first "associate member" in her annual "State of the European Union" address on Wednesday.

"Europe and Canada are stronger together," Carney was quoted as saying by AFP, as he added that Canada welcomed the EU proposal and wanted deeper cooperation on issues from artificial intelligence to defence and energy.

Carney responded to US President Donald Trump's threat to cut trade ties with t...