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EU says the alliance with Canada "is not directed against anyone" after Trump's threats

The proposal would deepen trade, defense and technology ties and could make Canada the bloc’s first associate member, EU officials said.

  • European Union leaders rejected President Donald Trump's claim that a planned partnership with Canada constitutes a "hostile act," with reports on Thursday indicating the bloc remains unimpressed by the characterization.
  • Trump labeled the plan a "hostile act" in North Carolina Wednesday, responding to European Commission President Ursula's proposal to make Canada the European Union's first-ever "associate member."
  • France's European affairs minister Benjamin Haddad stated on Thursday that the United States holds no veto over the bloc, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the proposed alignment as "natural."
  • President Donald Trump threatened, "If it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe," though he added, "If it's a good intention, that's fine," regarding the move.
  • European Union Commission spokesperson Olof Gill emphasized the partnership aims for "common strength," as leaders signal they intend to maintain strategic autonomy and refuse to be influenced by foreign powers.
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67 Articles

Lean Right

Nothing prevents Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada from focusing on the EU at the expense of the US, and Brussels, a pillar in the trade war with Donald Trump, points out Americanist Malec Dudak.

Lean Left

Brussels responds to Washington's threats as the French government bets on closer ties with Canada

·Los Angeles, United States
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Lean Left

The deepening relationship between Canada and the EU is a positive process. Ottawa will not bow to pressure to abandon it, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, quoted by Politico. His comments come after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose "serious tariffs" on the EU if Canada becomes an associate member of the bloc, an idea promoted by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address. "This union is a …

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BBC News broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
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