Geopolitik: Carney kontert Trump: Kanada ist offen für erste EU-Sondermitgliedschaft

Brussels - Canada has expressed openness to becoming the first country to join a type of "associated member" of the European Union (EU), according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. The offer came from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen the day before in her address on the state of the EU. "Canada welcomes this ambition," Carney stated at the European Parliament on Thursday.

A large majority of Canadians favor significantly closer relations with the EU. An alliance between Canada and the EU could serve as a "lighthouse for other democracies," stated Carney, who must be "strong enough so no one can dictate our decisions," while also being "open enough to allow others to join." Carney made it clear that his goal was far beyond a deeper trade relationship.

Canada and Europe should jointly become more independent from the two major power blocs - China and the US - and their respective corporations. Carney also emphasized that the Canadian Parliament would ultimately vote on the new alliance, ultimately deciding whether it would be an "associated membership," as von der Leyen called it, or if the project would have a different name.