51º estado ou 28º membro? Canadá quer aderir à Europa

The United States has pressured Canada to become the 51st U.S. state, while Canada is seeking to become the 28th member of the European Union, or at least the first associate member. The approach between the two began at the EU-Armenia Summit in May, when Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the possibility of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU.

The formal invitation was made yesterday, when Carney visited the European Parliament and heard from Leyen that the EU wants Canada. "I said we need to urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you," Leyen said at a parliamentary session with Carney present. "I want our partnership at the highest level possible."

This comes as Trump escalates trade war with Canada and distances himself from the EU and NATO. After the meeting, the U.S. president labeled the move as "crazy" and threatened to impose more tariffs on Europe if it advances with the plan. Carney and Leyen said the approach between the two does not aim to alienate the U.S., but to seek more options for their economies.

"This is a fierce storm. A tree can fall. A forest doesn't," Carney said today in the European Parliament. "This is about sovereignty. Our ability to live as we wish. It's about the freedoms we must fight for, every day." Canada and the EU already have bilateral agreements in various sectors, including a free trade agreement (the Ceta) that has not been ratified by 10 European countries nine years after it was signed.

Surveys show that a large majority of Canadians support approaching the EU. Leyen said the partnership would involve cooperation in defense industry, a technological and intelligence alliance, joint projects in the Arctic, as well as initiatives in energy, critical minerals and economic security. Carney also wants Canada to participate in the Erasmus Plus student exchange program, increase its involvement in the Horizon Europe research program, and negotiate a deal that allows young people to work in each other's countries.

Despite the enthusiasm of both sides, the path for Canada to become an associate member is long, winding, and requires much negotiation - as is anything involving the EU. The EU does not have a formal mechanism to establish an associate member, meaning the proposal would require the unanimous approval of the 27 member countries of the bloc - a problem considering the fear of some European capitals at the reaction of Trump.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed turning Ukraine into an associate member of the bloc as an intermediate step towards becoming a full member, but the idea was rejected by other countries. German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said while Berlin is willing to "discuss new partnership models" with Canada, the term "associate member" should be "reconsidered."

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic rejected the possibility of offering special treatment to Canada, reminding that old partners of the bloc, such as Norway and Switzerland, follow the EU rules and even contribute to the bloc's shared budget. On the Canadian side, an eventual entry into the EU would need approval by the local parliament.

Canada and the EU have a bilateral summit scheduled for October 29-30 in Montreal, where they are expected to announce some agreements, including a pact on digital trade.