Canada May Become EU’s First ‘Associate Member’: What Could It Get? From Trade to Defense and More | Today’s news
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a new form of partnership between the European Union and Canada on Wednesday, inviting Ottawa to become the bloc’s first “associate member” as the two sides seek to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation.
“I invite Canada to become the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen said during her State of the Union address.
What could it get?
Von der Leyen also called for expanding ties between the EU and Canada beyond their existing trade arrangements, with a focus on building a broader strategic partnership. “We will move from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) to an Alliance for the Future. We will create a common space of prosperity and economic security,” she said.
Leyen said the proposed partnership would span a wide range of areas, including advanced manufacturing, technology, defense, Arctic cooperation, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and economic security, according to AP.
“This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength. In short, we want to take the relationship with Canada to the highest possible level,” she said.
Leyen noted that democracies should not be run by the most powerful, richest or loudest, and emphasized that democratic states have the freedom to decide who they want to work with.
Why can’t Canada become a full member of the EU?
Canada cannot join the EU as a full member because the bloc’s treaties limit membership to European countries. The proposed associate membership could therefore provide an alternative arrangement that would allow Canada to forge closer relations with the 27-nation European bloc without becoming a full member.
Canada-EU ties
The proposed partnership comes as Canada and the EU seek to strengthen economic resilience amid growing uncertainty in global trade. Relations between Ottawa and Washington have also come under pressure following US President Donald Trump’s trade policies and threats to make Canada the 51st country.
Given the deep economic ties between these two North American neighbors, Canada remains particularly sensitive to changes in US trade policy. The relationship has faced fresh strain as the Trump administration has imposed tariffs and signaled the possibility of more measures targeting Canadian exports.
In response, Canada is seeking to expand its network of trade and economic partners, while European countries are working to strengthen supply chains and address strategic vulnerabilities.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has supported stronger economic and security cooperation with the European Union. His appearance in the European Parliament on Wednesday reflected growing engagement between Ottawa and Brussels.
Carney also received a standing ovation after European Parliament President Roberta Metsola introduced him as the guest of honour.
He is scheduled to appear before the European Parliament on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, Canadian and European leaders are expected to meet later in October in Montreal for a summit with discussions likely to focus on trade, defence, energy, critical minerals, technology and Arctic cooperation.
