Canada backs deeper EU ties as Carney welcomes associate membership, while Trump threatens tariffs if Washington considers the proposal hostile or strategically provocative.
Toronto
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday backed a proposal for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member, presenting closer ties with Europe as a way to strengthen economic resilience and strategic cooperation.
Speaking to European lawmakers in Strasbourg, Carney welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal, made a day earlier during her State of the Union address. The proposal has not yet been fully defined and would require approval from EU member states.
Carney said Canada and Europe could cooperate more closely in critical minerals, defence, artificial intelligence, computing, energy security, space, payments and digital trade. He framed the proposed relationship as an effort to build resilience rather than create a rival power bloc.
“Europe and Canada are each strong. Europe and Canada are even stronger together,” Carney said.
His remarks came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump criticised the proposal and warned that Washington could impose heavy tariffs or restrict trade with Europe if he considered the move hostile. Trump described the idea as “laughable” and said the U.S. response would depend on its intentions.
The European Commission has rejected the suggestion that the proposal is directed against the United States. Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said the proposed strengthening of ties with Canada was intended to build common strength, not target another country.
Carney also said Canada would make its own decisions about international partnerships. His comments come as Ottawa seeks to broaden economic and security relationships amid trade tensions with Washington and competition from China.
The proposed associate membership remains at an early stage, with its scope and legal framework still unclear.