Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, in a written answer to a parliamentary question on 29 June 2026, defended the EU-Canada Digital Partnership as a means to strengthen rather than undermine the EU's strategic autonomy. The answer, responding to a question from Renew MEP Benoit Cassart, framed the partnership as part of a broader forward-looking vision of digital sovereignty outlined in the recently adopted Tech Sovereignty Package. Virkkunen argued that the partnership is not about protectionism or isolationism, but about building the EU's ability to act independently while remaining open and cooperative.
The answer contained no new concrete proposals, numerical targets, or deadlines, instead offering a declarative reaffirmation of existing policy direction. Virkkunen pointed to cooperation in emerging technologies such as quantum and AI, regulatory alignment, interoperability of technical standards, and joint projects on secure digital infrastructure like 5G and digital identities as mechanisms to diversify supply chains, reduce over-dependencies, and co-create trustworthy technology solutions.
the EU seeks to reduce reliance on any single actor by deepening ties with like-minded partners, rather than through autarkic measures. This approach balances economic security with continued international collaboration, potentially benefiting EU tech firms and researchers through access to Canadian innovation and markets, while also exposing them to competition from Canadian counterparts. National authorities may face pressure to align standards and regulatory frameworks, and EU consumers could gain from more resilient and interoperable digital services. However, critics may question whether the partnership genuinely reduces dependence on dominant non-EU tech players or merely shifts it.
Institutional follow-up is expected as the partnership's joint projects and regulatory cooperation initiatives progress, with the Commission likely to report on outcomes in future digital strategy reviews. No specific timeline was provided in the answer.