Carney Embraces Proposal for Canada to Become EU’s First Associate Member

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday welcomed the possibility of Canada becoming the European Union’s first “associate member,” saying closer ties with Europe would help ensure that no single country could control Canada’s markets, undermine its sovereignty or constrain its freedoms.

Carney’s comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the proposed Canada-EU arrangement could be viewed as a “hostile act” and threatened to impose heavy tariffs on Europe if he determined that its intentions were unfriendly toward the United States.

Speaking to the European Parliament, Carney strongly backed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal, unveiled a day earlier, to establish a new form of relationship between Canada and the 27-member bloc.

The concept of “associate membership” does not currently exist under EU treaties, meaning its legal and institutional framework would have to be negotiated and created. Carney said he envisioned significantly deeper cooperation between Canada and Europe in trade, defense, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, space, scientific research and financial services.

He emphasized that the objective was not to create another geopolitical bloc aimed at competing with major powers.

“I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival — only with better manners,” Carney told lawmakers. “We do not seek power to dominate others.”

Instead, he said, Canada wants to strengthen its economic and strategic resilience so that no foreign power can control its markets, threaten its sovereignty or dictate its national choices.

The proposal received a warm reception in the European Parliament. Lawmakers approached Carney for handshakes and photographs, while he received a standing ovation following his address. One parliamentarian even wore a Canadian hockey jersey.

For decades, Canada has built much of its economy around close integration with the United States. But tensions with the Trump administration over tariffs, economic demands and repeated comments about making Canada the “51st state” have encouraged Ottawa to reduce its dependence on Washington and seek stronger economic and strategic relationships with Europe.

Europe Offers Canada a New Path

Von der Leyen proposed moving beyond the existing Canada-EU free trade agreement and creating what she called an “Alliance for the Future,” encompassing a broader framework for economic security and shared prosperity.

Carney is scheduled to host EU leaders in Montreal on Oct. 29-30 for a Canada-EU summit, where the proposed new relationship is expected to be discussed in greater detail.

Canada sends roughly 70% of its exports to the United States, leaving its economy particularly exposed to U.S. trade measures. Ottawa has responded to American tariffs with retaliatory measures and rejected demands that Carney says could threaten Canadian sovereignty.

Europe, meanwhile, has pursued a different approach to the Trump administration, including accepting tariffs of up to 15% on most EU exports to the United States while suspending some retaliatory measures.

Carney has increasingly presented Canada as part of a broader group of “middle powers” seeking greater independence from dominant states. At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, he warned that countries negotiating individually with a dominant power often bargain from a position of weakness.

Canada has already moved closer to Europe in defense cooperation. Earlier this year, it became the first non-European country to join the EU’s €150 billion ($173 billion) SAFE defense procurement program, allowing Canadian companies to participate in joint European defense procurement as the bloc increases military spending.

Ottawa and Brussels are also exploring expanded cooperation in energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and digital trade.

Washington Watching Closely

Canadian officials have made clear that Ottawa is not seeking full EU membership. Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s ambassador-designate to the EU, said full membership would require Canada to surrender certain elements of sovereignty. Instead, Canada wants to establish the closest possible relationship with Europe while maintaining and strengthening its independence.

The precise meaning of associate membership remains subject to negotiations.

Daniel Béland, a political-science professor at McGill University, said policies and rhetoric from the Trump administration were encouraging Canada and the EU to consider a world with less reliance on strong U.S. leadership.

Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, said Carney’s approach to relations with Trump had attracted European attention, particularly because Canada has traditionally maintained deep economic and political ties with the United States.

The proposed Canada-EU partnership therefore represents more than a trade initiative. Its eventual scope could affect cooperation in defense, energy, technology, critical minerals and economic security while potentially reshaping Canada’s relationship with both Europe and the United States.

Source: AP