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E.U. Offers to Make Canada ‘Associate Member’ as U.S. Ties Weaken for Both
Confirmed
In Short: Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, has proposed making Canada an 'associate member' as trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada escalate.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, told the European Parliament on Wednesday that the bloc and Canada 'see the world with the same eyes,' including on issues such as AI, climate change, and geopolitics. This move comes as trade talks between Canada and the U.S. have collapsed, leading to new tariff measures.
Since late August, Canada has been pushing for a closer relationship with the EU, aiming to reduce its heavy dependence on the U.S., which takes about 70% of Canadian exports. The EU's offer of 'associate membership' is part of a broader 'Alliance for the Future' aimed at creating 'a common prosperity and economic security space,' according to Canadian officials.
Von der Leyen's proposal does not currently exist, and the process, if agreed, could take years. However, the offer reflects the growing importance of Canada as a reliable ally for the EU in dealing with similar problems. The EU's relationship with Canada is set to be elevated to 'the highest level possible,' as von der Leyen stated in her annual speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Carney, the Canadian prime minister, received a standing ovation from European lawmakers and is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday. The EU's offer of 'associate membership' is part of a wider strategy to strengthen ties with Canada, which this year became the first non-European country to join the EU's 150-billion-euro SAFE defence programme, giving Canadian companies access to joint procurement.
What's confirmed
- The president of the European Commission has backed proposals for Canada to become the EU's first "associate member".
- The move comes as Canada seeks to reduce its heavy dependence on the United States, which takes about 70 per cent of Canadian exports, and as Carney has called for a "unique alliance" with the EU.
- She said Canada and the EU would build on their existing free trade agreement, known as CETA, with a broader "Alliance for the Future" aimed at creating "a common prosperity and economic security space".
What's still developing
- "For a long time, we have discussed a leaders' format focused on the security of our continent, with partners like Canada, Norway, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and others involved," she said in the wide-ranging address.
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- The move comes as EU members have also been hit trade tariffs under Trump's administration.
- "Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy," von der Leyen said.
- Trump's tariffs, along with his repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state, have driven Canada's efforts to deepen economic and security ties with Europe.
- Canada has hit back at US tariffs and rejected trade terms that, Carney says, would weaken its sovereignty.
- Read more: Carney tells Trump 'stop trying to be tough' In her annual speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, she said strong partners like Canada would help achieve these goals.
- Without mentioning US President Donald Trump by name, von der Leyen said offering Canada some sort of EU membership was "not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength".