Canada seeks associated EU membership

Canada supports closer ties to the European Union and is aiming to become the first country ever to become an associate member. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said this on Thursday in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He welcomed a corresponding proposal from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Europe and Canada are stronger together, said Carney. “The goal is not self-sufficiency, but collective resilience.”

US President Donald Trump described the plan as “ridiculous” and threatened the EU with higher tariffs and a trade ban. Carney now emphasized: “I am not proposing a third bloc to compete as a great power – only with better manners.” He does not seek power “to dominate others.”

Carney instead advocated for deeper integration between Canada and Europe in areas such as trade, defense, critical raw materials, artificial intelligence, energy, space and financial services. The aim is to strengthen the resilience of both sides against economic and geopolitical pressure.