EU chief opens door for Canada to become ‘associate member’

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, has indicated that Canada could become the EU's first "associate member," signaling a desire for closer ties in various key sectors. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed interest in a "unique alliance" with the EU, as he confronts strained relations with the US under Donald Trump.

Despite not mentioning Trump by name, von der Leyen emphasized that offering Canada some form of EU membership is "not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength." She also stated that partnerships respond to fractures in the international rules-based system. Trade talks between Canada and the US collapsed last month, leading to new tariff measures, but von der Leyen noted that the EU and Canada "see the world with the same eyes" on issues such as AI, climate change, and geopolitics.

Both have supported Ukraine, defense, raw materials, and supply chains. Other areas of cooperation include energy, critical minerals, batteries, AI, cyber, and economic security. The EU has also faced trade tariffs under Trump's administration. Von der Leyen proposed the formation of a European Security Council, which would include the UK, Ukraine, and Canada, in response to the growing threats from Russia.

This proposal comes amid ongoing discussions about a leaders' format focused on the continent's security, involving partners like Canada, Norway, Ukraine, the UK, and others.