The European Union is moving to elevate its relationship with Canada by offering Ottawa the status of its first associate member.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly signaled her intent to upgrade ties with Canada during her annual policy address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on the 16th, telling Prime Minister Mark Carney that she wants to "open the door together so that Canada can become the EU's first associate member," according to Reuters.
Her remarks drew applause from the packed chamber of European lawmakers and Commission officials. Carney, attending as a special guest, smiled and nodded. The prime minister is scheduled to address the European Parliament directly at the same venue on the 17th.
In her speech, von der Leyen said the EU and Canada can build "an alliance for a much broader future" on the foundation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) already in place, creating "a space of shared prosperity and economic security." She stressed that cooperation between the two sides goes beyond a simple trade relationship and is rooted in the shared value of democracy.
Cooperation will expand into advanced manufacturing, technology, the defense industry, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and economic security, she said, adding that the effort "is not aimed at anyone but is cooperation to strengthen our joint capabilities."
The proposal comes as Canada and Europe seek closer economic and security cooperation, both unsettled by U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy and his America First security posture.
Carney has emphasized the need for middle powers to band together against great-power rivalry since the start of Trump's second administration. He has repeatedly pointed to the need for a special alliance with the EU as relations with Washington cooled rapidly, driven by Trump's repeated remarks about annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state and by an escalating tariff dispute.
