EU opens door for Canada to become its first associate member, von der Leyen says
Von der Leyen said the new partnership would span manufacturing, defense and energy, and could give Canada access to some EU programs.
- On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the European Union's first "associate member" during her State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, France.
- This overture follows a historic breakdown in Canada-U.S. trade relations last month, as President Donald Trump's tariffs and rhetoric about making Canada the 51st state pushed Ottawa to seek closer European ties.
- Von der Leyen stated the EU and Canada will build on their existing CETA agreement by creating an "Alliance for the Future" aimed at establishing "a common prosperity and economic security space."
- Receiving a standing ovation from European lawmakers on Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament on Thursday regarding this "unique alliance."
- Responding to a "fracture in the international rules-based system," von der Leyen noted the partnership is "not against anyone else" to avoid antagonizing the United States.
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EU President Says Canada Could Become Its First ‘Associate Member’ Amid Trump Tariff Fight
European Commission president’s comments were made during her state of the union address and are the first formal acknowledgment of a push to build closer Canada-EU ties.
Canada may become the EU's first ‘associate member’: What could it get? From trade to defence and more
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed Canada as the EU’s first associate member to enhance economic and strategic collaboration. She emphasised expansion of ties beyond trade agreements, aiming for a stronger strategic partnership while respecting democratic choices of nations.
Von der Leyen announced the creation of her “Future Alliance,” which would build on the existing trade agreement between the EU and Canada and “create shared prosperity and economic security.”
This offer by the President of the European Commission was welcomed by an ovation of European parliamentarians.
Without mentioning Donald Trump, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that the desire to offer Canada a form of association with the EU "is not a partnership against someone else, but for our common power." The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the European Union wants to open the way for ...
STRASBOURG. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen invites Canada to become an “associate member of the EU.” In a doom-laden speech about the state of the EU, she addressed Prime Minister Mark Carney directly.
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