# Trump threatens Europe over Canada's EU bid

> The president warns of heavy tariffs if the EU makes Canada an associate member, escalating his trade disputes.
- Title: Trump threatens Europe over Canada's EU bid · Business Insider
- Summary: The president warns of heavy tariffs if the EU makes Canada an associate member, escalating his trade disputes. Trump is willing to punish Europe…
- Keywords: donald trump, european union, canada, trade tariffs, ursula von der leyen, mark carney, us-eu trade, associate membership, trade retaliation, nato, business, technology
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/canada-eu-associate-member-trump-response-retaliates-us-trade-tariffs-2026-9
- Author: Huileng Tan
- Published: 2026-09-17T05:09:54.429+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, european union, canada, trade tariffs, ursula von der leyen, mark carney, us-eu trade, associate membership, trade retaliation, nato, business, technology
## Trump warns Europe on Canada
President Trump threatened heavy tariffs or a trade halt with Europe if the EU makes Canada an associate member, calling the prospect laughable.

> If they do that, if I think it's at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things.
## Von der Leyen's undefined proposal
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated making Canada the EU's first associate member to deepen partnership on technology, energy, defense and AI.
## Trump attacks Canada as partner
Trump called Canada a terrible trade partner and issued a memo directing federal agencies to remove Canadian goods from US government procurement.
## Trump claims US carries Europe
Trump said the US has a 200 billion dollar goods deficit with the EU and claimed America doesn't need European products since it has cars, lumber and food.

> We're not trading with you anymore. We don't need anything they have.
## Canada pivots toward Europe
After US-Canada trade talks collapsed, Prime Minister Mark Carney moved to strengthen ties with Europe, formally applying to join a British-led NATO military partnership.
## Key takeaway

Trump is willing to punish Europe economically if it deepens ties with Canada, showing how his trade conflicts are spreading across multiple partners.