Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney endorsed the European Union's proposal to make Canada its first associate member, countering U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of heavy tariffs. The move aims to strengthen economic and strategic ties between Canada and Europe, emphasizing resilience against geopolitical pressure.
Carney highlighted deeper integration in trade, defense, critical minerals, and AI, aiming to reduce vulnerability to economic and geopolitical threats. He stressed that Canada does not seek full EU membership but a framework that enhances sovereignty and independence. The proposal was met with a standing ovation in Strasbourg.
The EU and Canada already have a free-trade agreement, but the associate membership proposal seeks closer cooperation in defense, energy, and critical minerals. The status, which does not exist in EU treaties, would require negotiations and consensus among all 27 EU member states. Carney called the proposal a 'different framework' that supports strategic autonomy.
Trump criticized the EU plan as a 'hostile act' and threatened serious tariffs on Europe if it was seen as unfriendly, raising tensions ahead of Carney's speech. Carney responded by reaffirming Canadian sovereignty, stating that no external force would dictate Canada's international agreements or cultural identity.