EU: Von der Leyen will Kanada zum „assoziierten Mitglied“ der EU machen

In a bold move, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Wednesday that Canada become the European Union's first "associated member." The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, was the intended audience for von der Leyen's address to the EU's situation.

Carney is working to reduce Canada's economic dependence on the United States amid a trade dispute with US President Donald Trump. He had already announced his intention to collaborate more closely with the EU in August. The Canadian Prime Minister accepted the invitation from EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola and received standing ovations upon entering the plenary hall, accompanied by von der Leyen.

Carney is scheduled to deliver a speech to the EU Parliament on Thursday. Von der Leyen announced plans to elevate relations with Canada to the highest possible level, including the creation of a shared economic space for prosperity and economic security, a technology alliance, and closer integration of their military industries. Additionally, both sides plan to collaborate on energy, critical raw materials, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and cybersecurity.