EU offers Canada associate membership amid trade war with Trump
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has invited Canada to become the EU's first associate member. The proposed partnership aims to deepen cooperation in areas like defense, technology, and critical minerals amid shifting global trade dynamics.
Why it matters
This represents a potential new model for EU engagement with non-European nations, signaling a strategic pivot in response to changing US trade policies.
In a major bid to deepen ties with Ottawa amid growing trade tensions with Washington, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday invited Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member.She proposed a new partnership spanning trade, defence, technology, energy and critical minerals.“I invite Canada to be the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen said on Wednesday during her annual State of the European Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, according to ANI.Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, who was seated in the front row, responded by embracing von der Leyen as lawmakers applauded. He is due to address the European parliament on Thursday.Von der Leyen said Brussels wanted to take the relationship beyond the existing Canada-EU trade agreement, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).“We will move from CETA to an Alliance for the Future.
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