Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared that “no one will dictate to Canada who it can sign agreements with,” after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to end trade relations with the European Union. Carney‘s statement came following a proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to grant Canada the status of the EU’s first “associated member.”
Canada supports closer ties with the EU
On Thursday, Mark Carney welcomed the idea of associated membership, stating that Canada and the European Union are “stronger together.” Speaking before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where he was met with prolonged applause, the Prime Minister noted that polls show a vast majority of Canadians support significantly closer ties with Europe.
Mark Carney also emphasized the “shared values” that link Canada and Europe. He stated that the foundation of the partnership consists of values, ideas, trade, people-to-people contacts, and progress that have crossed the Atlantic in both directions for centuries.
“We are not situational allies. We do not seek zero-sum agreements,” Carney said, adding: “No one will dictate to Canada who it can sign agreements with.”
EU proposals and Trump’s reaction
Earlier, during an address to MEPs, Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the first “associated member” of the EU. She also suggested that Canada join the future European Security Council, the creation of which she supports.
Following these proposals, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to end trade relations between the U.S. and the European Union.
Carney was a guest of honor during Ursula von der Leyen‘s address to the European Parliament on Wednesday. The following day, he addressed MEPs himself, dedicating his speech to relations between Canada and the EU. The official European Parliament program confirms both events.
Source: Le Figaro
