Canada fighting US, pushes for EU 'associate membership'

The Canadian government is pursuing a path to become an associate member of the European Union (EU) amid trade disputes with the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed interest in strengthening ties with the EU, with reports from the Wall Street Journal stating they are considering the possibility of the EU granting the "associate member" status to Canada.

The newspaper cited EU and Canadian officials in their report, noting that Carney has discussed the idea of visa-free living and working in the EU with French President Emmanuel Macron. The Canadian Prime Minister has been in secret talks with almost all major European leaders, including Italy, Germany, the Nordic countries, and lesser-known European monarchs, to integrate Canada more deeply into the 27-nation European bloc, covering sectors such as energy, artificial intelligence, defense, and critical minerals.

Both countries are exploring ways to integrate into the EU's $21 trillion (around 2 trillion yuan) single market, including building underwater cables, jointly constructing data centers, creating cloud storage and new satellite networks, and constructing facilities to transport Canadian energy to the EU. They are also considering establishing a scientific research network that can compete with the US university system.

Carney hopes for Canada and Canada students to participate in the European Union's Erasmus exchange program. The Canadian government's shift to the EU is a response to the trade war and strained relations with the US under President Donald Trump's second term. Carney has vowed to return the country, once known as "British North America," back to continental Europe as a countermeasure against Trump's pressure to absorb Canada as its 51st state.

Canadian Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has said, "If Canada were to become the 28th member of the EU instead of America's 51st state, how wonderful would that be?" However, the Canadian and EU sides acknowledge the obstacles ahead, as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) they signed is facing strong opposition within the EU.

Although signed in 2016, the agreement has yet to be ratified by France and some other EU members, making it more challenging for Canada to gain the "associate member" status.