Von der Leyen to set out challenges and opportunities for EU in ‘state of the Union’ speech – Europe live

The Guardian World Wednesday 16 September 2026, 06:56 UTC By Jakub Krupa 1 min read

Key Points

European Commission president sets out opportunities and challenges facing the European UnionIt’s also worth noting that this year’s SOTU will see a special guests in attendance: Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney. He will listen to von der Leyen’s speech as Canada seeks closer ties with the EU – particularly on defence, digital regulation and trade - amid growing tensions with and outright repeated threats from US president Donald Trump.

European Commission president sets out opportunities and challenges facing the European Union

It’s also worth noting that this year’s SOTU will see a special guests in attendance: Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney.

He will listen to von der Leyen’s speech as Canada seeks closer ties with the EU – particularly on defence, digital regulation and trade - amid growing tensions with and outright repeated threats from US president Donald Trump.

Von der (PERSON) Leyen (PERSON) EU (ORG) Europe (LOCATION) European Commission (ORG) the European (ORG) UnionIt (PERSON) SOTU (PERSON) Canada (LOCATION) Mark Carney (PERSON) US (LOCATION) Donald Trump (PERSON)

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Von der Leyen to set out challenges and opportunities for EU in ‘state of the Union’ speech – Europe live

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