# 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.
- Title: Canada seeks EU 'associate member' status · BBC News
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: canada, european union, mark carney, associate member, trade dispute, donald trump, defence cooperation, critical minerals, energy security, tariffs, geopolitical tensions, technology
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.com/news/articles/cwly7vkke4jxo
- Published: 2026-09-17T12:27:18.726+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: canada, european union, mark carney, associate member, trade dispute, donald trump, defence cooperation, critical minerals, energy security, tariffs, geopolitical tensions, technology
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.