Canada explores ‘associate member’ status with EU amid US trade tensions

Canada is exploring whether it could become an “associate member” of the European Union as Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks closer economic and strategic ties with the bloc, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.The EU, which has historically been reluctant to change its membership rules, is open to the idea of creating a new associate membership status for Canada, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed officials from both sides.The Canadian embassy in Brussels and the European Commission did not respond to separate requests for comment.Canada's worsening trade relationship with the United States has added urgency to its efforts to strengthen ties with other trading partners.Relations between Ottawa and Washington have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in early 2025, with disagreements over trade and other issues leading to tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in cross-border trade.Canada and EU explore deeper economic linksCanada and…