Prime Minister Mark Carney called Canada "the most European of non-European countries" early in U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war.

Now, he's hosting European leaders to pursue an unprecedented alliance, but the proposed EU "associate member" designation faces resistance even as the EU's top official champions it.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antnio Costa will join Carney in Montreal on Thursday for a two-day summit aimed at deepening trade, defense and economic ties as Canada and Europe seek to reduce their dependence on Washington in a changing world order.