Canada welcomes EU proposal to become 'associate member'

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the European Union's proposal for Canada to become an associate member of the EU, calling for stronger cooperation on defence, critical minerals and energy security. Carney made his comments during a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, stating that Canada and Europe were stronger together in the face of geopolitical challenges.

The proposal comes a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested opening the door to Canada's associate membership. US President Donald Trump previously dismissed the idea as "laughable" and threatened to impose heavy tariffs on Europe if he considered it a hostile act. Carney emphasized that the Canada-EU alliance would serve as a beacon for other democracies, while clarifying that the relationship would not establish a new power bloc.

He stressed that the alliance was about sovereignty and mutual benefit, not domination. Trump later expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue, stating that the proposal was positive if it had good intentions. Carney dismissed Trump's comments, asserting that Canada would not be dictated to in terms of language, culture, or international agreements.

The EU and Canada already have a free-trade agreement, and cooperate in various areas, including defence and research. Carney suggested that the relationship could enhance Canada's strategic autonomy through deep cooperation in critical minerals and other strategic capabilities. He proposed pooling technological resources and expanding people-to-people ties, including allowing young Canadians to work, study, and live in the EU through the Erasmus+ program.

A Canada-EU summit is scheduled for Montreal at the end of October to discuss the proposed relationship in greater detail.