Trump threatens EU over ‘hostile’ Canada association plan
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on the European Union if it proceeds with plans to make Canada an associate member. The EU proposal aims to strengthen ties with Canada amid a shifting global trade landscape and tensions with the United States.
Why it matters
This highlights escalating geopolitical and trade tensions between the U.S. and its traditional Western allies.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) to cut trade with the European Union after the bloc proposed to make Canada its first ever associate member.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect a day before Canadian leader Mark Carney was due to address the European Parliament.
Her pitch comes as both Canada and the European Union seek to pivot away from an aggressive United States under Trump's leadership.
"I think it's laughable," Mr. Trump told reporters when asked about the plan.
"If they do that, if I think it's at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe, on many things."
He added: "If it's a good intention, that's fine. If it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe, which is a possibility."
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