The European Commission offered Canada associate membership in the EU, the US reacted negatively

European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the first ever associate member of the European Union (EU) during her annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament on September 16th. The initiative caused a mixed reaction within the community, and the United States spoke extremely negatively about this proposal. Can Ottawa become part of the EU, can we expect a sharp escalation in the trade war between countries, and why is the United States spoiling relations with its northern neighbor - in the material of Lenta.ru.

Why did von der Leyen's statement take everyone by surprise?

The proposal of the head of the EC for Canada's associated membership in the European Union caused bewilderment among the countries of the association because such a mechanism for integration into the EU does not exist.

According to Yuri Akimov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Department of American Studies at St. Petersburg State University, such statements are rather symbolic in nature. He confirmed that conversations about deepening cooperation between the EU and Canada have become more frequent, but doubted that “quantity will turn into quality.”

As for the United States, they were extremely cool about the possibility of integrating their northern neighbor into the European community.

Despite the fact that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that the country does not want to be a member of the EU, but strives for a “unique union” with Brussels, US President Donald Trump commented on statements on this topic with obvious irritation.

What's going on between Canada and the USA?

The initiative for Canada's possible associate membership in the EU emerged against the backdrop of extremely tense US-Canadian relations.

Since the start of Trump's second term, the US administration has repeatedly announced tariffs on various Canadian goods, citing its commitment to America Fisrt (America First). Washington blamed its neighbors Canada and Mexico for insufficient border security, threatening massive tariffs.

Throughout 2025, the United States systematically launched a large-scale tariff campaign against Canada, and in 2026 the situation worsened. Despite the fact that the US Supreme Court declared the initial tariffs illegal, the US presidential administration did not abandon its policy.

Canadian authorities have responded by imposing retaliatory tariffs - particularly on American imports - and promising to support local businesses affected by the trade war.

In July, Washington officially refused to automatically renew the trilateral USMCA in its current form - an agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada to create a single free trade area, demanding large-scale concessions from Ottawa, including control over Canada's trade policy.

In August, the parties again attempted to reach an agreement, but negotiations broke down due to “fundamental problems” between the parties. Subsequently, the head of the White House called Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford clowns.

The Canadian prime minister said that his country is in a trade war with the United States, so it will not give Washington what it wants.

Will Canada end up in the EU because of the US?

According to the BBC TV channel, European officials privately acknowledge that the strengthening of ties between Ottawa and Brussels is related to the actions of the American administration. They noted that Washington's unpredictability and tendency to use trade ties as leverage are forcing them to look for alternative opportunities to develop their economies.

However, Americanist Akimov rejects the possibility that the European Union could take Canada away from the United States.

He added that there is “nothing new” in statements about deepening ties between Canada and the EU, since Ottawa has always looked for opportunities to diversify foreign policy and foreign economic ties. The Americanist recalled that trade wars between the two countries are also not a new phenomenon.

In particular, he cited the massive trade dispute over softwood lumber in the 1980s, during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

Akimov emphasized that in the mass consciousness of Canadians there is no desire to “be Europeans.” In his opinion, they can interact with the EU within certain limits, beyond which they will not go.

At the same time, the US economy is acutely dependent on Canada in the fields of energy, metallurgy, forestry and the automotive industry.

Ottawa is Washington's largest foreign supplier of minerals. For example, 60 percent of all aluminum consumed in the United States each year comes from Canada. The US military uses the metal for everything from shell casings to ship hulls and aircraft fuselages.

The United States is particularly vulnerable to nuclear power: Canada supplies a large share of the uranium that is used to generate nearly a fifth of the country's electricity. A disruption in the supply of these strategic resources could trigger a massive energy crisis.

Why is the US President spoiling relations with Canada?

Now the trade confrontation between the parties continues, and the reason for this is largely considered to be the personality of the American leader. He repeatedly escalated the conflict with provocative statements - for example, a proposal to make Canada the 51st US state, which shocked Canadians.

According to Akimov, professional expertise is needed to explain the behavior of the head of the White House.

Akimov noted that American politicians have always had this attitude towards Canada, but, unlike them, Trump speaks “more harshly, rudely and loudly,” nevertheless he doubted that the trade war between the countries would reach a certain point of no return.

Now the trade war is hitting Americans hard: On September 8, Canada imposed tariffs of 15 to 50 percent on hundreds of US goods.

Ottawa's decision risks a major blow to states such as Michigan and Ohio that do significant business with Canada.

The Americanist pointed out that the upcoming midterm congressional elections, scheduled for November 3, could change the situation in relations between the United States and Canada. By introducing duties, Ottawa sought to cause maximum dissatisfaction among local voters and influence the outcome of the struggle for control of the legislative branch, which Democrats can take advantage of.

On August 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, Kirill Dmitriev, expressed the opinion that Canada should relax and join the United States.