European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Wednesday opening a path for Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union. She made the announcement during her annual State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The proposal comes against the backdrop of trade policies pursued by United States President Donald Trump and his suggestions that Canada could become the 51st state. This has prompted Ottawa to seek closer economic and security ties with Europe. Approximately 70% of Canadian exports go to the United States, and Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the need to reduce this dependency.
“I would like to work with you to open the door for Canada to become the first associate member of the EU,” Ursula von der Leyen told Mark Carney during her speech. The Canadian Prime Minister welcomed the proposal.
Expanding the strategic partnership
The office of Mark Carney welcomed the proposal, noting that Canada is deepening ties with the EU to strengthen its sovereignty. Ottawa also supports moving beyond the existing CETA free‑trade agreement as part of a proposed “Alliance for the Future.”
According to Ursula von der Leyen, a broader partnership should create “a space of shared prosperity and economic security.” It would involve cooperation in advanced manufacturing, technology, defence production, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and economic security.
The Canadian side had previously considered arrangements with the EU that would be broader than the current trade agreement but would not entail full membership in the Union. Among the possible terms discussed was the opportunity for Canada citizens to live and work in Europe without visas as part of a wider strategic partnership.
At the same time, Ursula von der Leyen did not provide details on how associate membership would function or how such a status would align with other countries currently negotiating for full EU membership.
Defense cooperation and relations with Canada
This year, Canada became the first non‑European country to join the 150 billion euro ($173 billion) SAFE defence program, giving Canadian companies access to joint defence procurement.
Mark Carney said that economic integration, once seen mainly as an advantage, is increasingly “being weaponized by certain countries.” Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, he urged middle powers to unite in order to strengthen their influence amid great‑power rivalry.
He added that bilateral negotiations with a hegemon force a country to negotiate from a position of weakness and accept dictated terms, describing this as “the imitation of sovereignty while accepting subordination.” His remarks drew personal criticism from Donald Trump.
Further discussions on deepening relations between Canada and the EU are expected to intensify at the Canada‑EU summit in Montreal in late October. Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Development Barry Andrews called Canada “an ideal ally for Europe” and noted that closer ties could bring specific benefits to Ireland.
Source: NPR / Associated Press
