EU opens door for Canada to become its first associate member, von der Leyen says
The proposal would deepen cooperation on trade, defence and technology as Canada seeks to reduce its reliance on the United States, officials said.
- On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the European Union's first "associate member" during her State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, France.
- This overture follows a historic breakdown in Canada-U.S. trade relations last month, as President Donald Trump's tariffs and rhetoric about making Canada the 51st state pushed Ottawa to seek closer European ties.
- Von der Leyen stated the EU and Canada will build on their existing CETA agreement by creating an "Alliance for the Future" aimed at establishing "a common prosperity and economic security space."
- Receiving a standing ovation from European lawmakers on Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament on Thursday regarding this "unique alliance."
- Responding to a "fracture in the international rules-based system," von der Leyen noted the partnership is "not against anyone else" to avoid antagonizing the United States.
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The President of the Commission wants to make the country an "associated member." That's right! The European Union must think big to survive.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed that Canada become the first 'associated member' of the European bloc.
Mark Carney was the star guest at the speech from the Leyens on the situation of the EU. The President of the Commission stretched out her hand, but left her offer in the vague.
EU head tells Carney she wants Canada as bloc's first 'associate member'
STRASBOURG, FRANCE — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday she wants Canada to become the first "associate member" of the European Union, though Canadian officials downplayed the significance of the term.
A closer approach than currently planned, between Canada and the Member States of the European Union, would create new problems with respect to steel, cars, genetically modified crops and other substantive issues, diplomats from Brussels said.
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