Britain is part of the EU, the largest single market in the world with over 450 million people, 27 member states.
The EU has three pillars of co-operation; the European Community (including the single market and the euro) as the first pillar; the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) as the second pillar; the area of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) co-operation as the third pillar.

Britain, the EU, and Canada

On many international issues (such as trade), the EU speaks, and negotiates, with one voice. The European Commission (the administrative core of the EU) has an office in Ottawa, and together with the rotating Presidency Member State, engages with the Canadian government on such matters. We are currently working to agree a basis for closer economic partnership between Canada and the EU – which should further open our respective markets to encourage greater competition, consumer choice, and business opportunities.


UK Trade and Investment is the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK. The UKTI team in Canada is based in Toronto and works to encourage Canadian investment into the UK, and promote Canada-UK trade.

The British High Commission’s Economic Team works on international trade policy issues, such as Canadian trade legislation and WTO positions. EU-Canada trade policy is handled through the European Commission Delegation in Ottawa.