Canada, EU Deepen Ties as Trump Threatens Tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has backed closer ties between Canada and the European Union, saying the two sides were “stronger together” as Brussels considers making Canada the bloc’s first associate member.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg as Canada and the European Union consider a closer partnership. [Photo: Mark Carney X]

Carney made the remarks during an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become an associate member of the EU.

Von der Leyen said the partnership could expand cooperation in areas including manufacturing, technology, defense, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence.

“Europe and Canada are each strong. Europe and Canada are even stronger together,” Carney told EU lawmakers.

He said Canada was not seeking to create a rival power bloc, but wanted greater resilience to protect its markets, sovereignty, territorial integrity, democracy and rule of law.

The proposal drew a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who called the idea “laughable” and said he could impose “very serious tariffs” or restrict trade with Europe if he considered the move hostile.

European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said the proposed partnership was intended to strengthen Canada-EU relations rather than target another country.

The associate-member proposal is still at an early stage. Its precise legal structure has yet to be defined, and EU member states would have to approve any eventual arrangement.