From BBC News · · 1m 40s
Canada seeks EU 'associate member' status
Prime Minister Mark Carney proposes a new alliance with Europe as Canada's trade war with the US escalates.
In brief
Prime Minister Mark Carney proposes a new alliance with Europe as Canada's trade war with the US escalates. Canada is pursuing a new form of EU membership that doesn't yet exist, aiming to strengthen ties on defence, energy, and critical minerals while distancing itself from US trade tensions. Originally reported by…
Canada pitches EU partnership
Prime Minister Mark Carney told the European Parliament that Canada should become the EU's first associate member, strengthening cooperation on defence, critical minerals and energy security.
“Canada and Europe were "stronger together" in the face of "geopolitical rupture".”
Trump calls the idea laughable
US President Donald Trump threatened "very serious tariffs" on Europe if he considers the Canada-EU alliance a hostile act, calling the proposal "laughable".
“If I think it's at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe.”
Trade war escalates between allies
Canada and the US are locked in an escalating trade dispute with tit-for-tat tariffs after bilateral talks collapsed last month.
Carney defends Canadian sovereignty
Carney said the alliance is about sovereignty and democracy, not forming a rival power bloc. He stressed Canada won't be told what language to speak or with whom to make agreements.
“Nobody is going to tell us what language we speak, no-one is going to dictate our culture.”
Associate member status doesn't exist yet
The EU's "associate member" status is a new proposal that doesn't currently exist and could take years to implement. All 27 EU member states must agree, and some have expressed reservations.
Concrete cooperation areas emerge
Canada could supply liquefied natural gas and hydrogen to Europe while gaining access to clean-energy expertise. The countries also propose allowing young people to work and study across the Atlantic through the Erasmus+ programme.
Details to be finalized in October
A Canada-EU summit is scheduled for Montreal at the end of October to work out specifics. Carney said the Canadian parliament will debate and vote on the proposals.
The key point
Canada is pursuing a new form of EU membership that doesn't yet exist, aiming to strengthen ties on defence, energy, and critical minerals while distancing itself from US trade tensions.
