Ottawa, Ontario - The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, will welcome Germany's Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil, to Canada on May 8-9. This visit will be an opportunity to further strengthen Canada's bilateral economic partnership with Germany and advance collaboration on shared priorities.
Germany is Canada's largest trading partner in the European Union and one of its most important global economic partners. Bilateral trade exceeds $30 billion annually, with particularly strong ties in advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, clean technologies, and defence‑related supply chains. In the last year, Canada has strengthened bilateral ties with Germany, including a Joint Declaration of Intent to deepen cooperation on critical minerals, supporting secure supply chains, joint research and development, and investment in strategic projects. Minister Champagne also travelled to Germany last December where he met with Vice-Chancellor Klingbeil.
This visit also builds on a new era in the Canada-Europe partnership. Over the past year, Canada and the EU announced the New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future, as well as the Security and Defence Partnership, to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, energy, and security. Canada and the EU also launched a new industrial policy dialogue focused on security, resilience, and clean growth.
Canada and Germany's ongoing collaboration underscores the shared commitment to deepening economic cooperation and strengthening resilient, trusted partnerships amid global uncertainty.
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026 (all times are local)
11:10 a.m.
Minister Champagne and Minister Klingbeil will visit a Bombardier worksite and hold a joint press conference.
