# EU invites Canada to become first 'associate member'

> Commission president makes unprecedented offer as Canada seeks to reduce dependence on US trade.
- Title: EU invites Canada to become first 'associate member'
- Summary: Commission president makes unprecedented offer as Canada seeks to reduce dependence on US trade. The EU has invited Canada to become its first 'associate…
- Keywords: european union, canada, ursula von der leyen, mark carney, associate membership, eu-canada relations, trade deal, donald trump, european commission, strasbourg, ceta, news
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/16/von-der-leyen-mark-carney-canada-eu-first-associate-member
- Published: 2026-09-16T13:48:07+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: european union, canada, ursula von der leyen, mark carney, associate membership, eu-canada relations, trade deal, donald trump, european commission, strasbourg, ceta, news
## EU makes unprecedented offer
Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the EU's first 'associate member.' She said the EU and Canada 'see the world with the same eyes.'

> We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.
## Carney seeks unique alliance
Canadian PM Mark Carney called for a 'unique alliance' with the EU. Canada wants to reduce its heavy dependence on US trade.

> Canada and the EU are natural partners, united by shared values.
## Trump pushed allies together
Canada and the EU have moved closer since Trump returned to the White House. He raised tariffs on both and talked about Canada becoming the 51st US state.
## Upgraded trade and tech ties
Von der Leyen said the existing trade deal would become an 'alliance for the future.' The two sides would create a tech alliance and integrate defence industrial bases.
## Focus on resources and Arctic
The EU wants joint work on energy, critical minerals, batteries, AI, and quantum computing. They plan to make the Arctic a 'flagship joint project.'
## Questions about what it means
The EU has never had an associate membership category. It remains unclear what this means for Canada's relationship with the EU single market.
## EU diplomats caught off guard
The phrase took EU insiders by surprise. One diplomat called it 'a nice headline' but noted 10 member states still haven't ratified the existing trade deal.
## Carney's tough Trump stance praised
Carney broke off trade talks with the US and introduced retaliatory tariffs. MEPs praised his approach, saying 'Trump respects people who are strong.'

> Trump respects people who are strong.
## Likely a collection of agreements
Experts say Canada will probably 'plug in' to existing EU programmes rather than join in any traditional sense. The term 'associate member' may be mostly symbolic.
## Canadian Conservatives outraged
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said Canada will 'NEVER be the 28th state of the European Union.' He fears Canadians will pay more taxes for EU bureaucracy.

> We will NEVER be the 51st American state. And we will NEVER be the 28th state of the European Union.
## Key takeaway

The EU has invited Canada to become its first 'associate member,' though what this means in practice remains unclear.