Carney Welcomes EU Offer for Canada to Become First Associate Member

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed an invitation from the European Union to become the bloc’s first-ever associate member, a move that signals a significant deepening of ties between Ottawa and Brussels amid an ongoing trade conflict with the United States.

Speaking on Thursday, Carney emphasized that a closer partnership could bolster strategic autonomy for both regions across a range of capabilities. His remarks followed comments from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who stated during the EU’s annual state of the union address that she wished to work with Carney to open the door for Canada’s unique status within the 27-nation bloc.

The proposal comes at a delicate moment, as U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned the prospect, labeling it “laughable” and threatening to impose heavy tariffs on the EU if the plan proceeds. Addressing reporters in North Carolina, Trump described Canada as a “terrible trade partner” and suggested the U.S. could halt trading with Europe on various goods if the associate membership is viewed as a hostile act.

“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe,” Trump said. This follows recent escalations in the U.S.-Canada trade war, where the Trump administration increased levies on Canadian goods, prompting Carney to pledge reciprocal dollar-for-dollar tariffs on American products.

While associate membership does not currently exist as a formal category under EU treaties and would require creation and ratification by member states, von der Leyen’s endorsement marks a departure from previous reluctance. Earlier this year, the EU hesitated when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed similar status for Ukraine.

Carney, who has previously warned that the “rules-based international order” is effectively dead, has long advocated for middle powers to unite against the pressure tactics of dominant economies. The EU and Canada already maintain a robust free trade relationship through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which eliminated 99% of tariff lines when it provisionally took effect in 2017.

Carney indicated that the new arrangement would evolve the relationship beyond CETA, aiming to build “common prosperity and economic security” between the two allies.