Canada explores EU associate membership as Trump threatens tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday, proposing deeper EU ties while noting over $20 billion in bilateral tariffs already imposed on goods such as textiles and apparel. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had offered Canada the EU’s first‑ever associate membership, a move Trump dismissed as laughable and warned could trigger heavy tariffs. Carney responded that Canada would seek strategic autonomy through cooperation in areas like critical minerals, defense and AI, and cited polling showing an overwhelming majority of Canadians favor closer European ties.
The proposed associate status remains undefined, but would link Canada to the world’s largest trade bloc without full membership. Bilateral tariffs between Canada and the United States, which rose after the breakdown of USMCA renewal talks, now affect more than $20 billion in traded products, including apparel and textiles. Trump said he would impose 'very serious tariffs' or halt trade with Europe if he viewed the EU’s offer as hostile, while Carney insisted Canada would not take direction on its trade policy.
“If they do that, if I think it’s a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things,” he threatened,” Donald Trump, former U.S. President said.
“I will tell polling shows that an overwhelming majority of Canadians support much closer ties with Europe,” he said,” Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister said.
Months of strain between Canada and its top trading partner, the United States, had already led to a collapse of USMCA renewal negotiations and the imposition of bilateral tariffs on over $20 billion of goods, including textiles and apparel. Against that backdrop, Carney addressed the EU Parliament shortly after von der Leyen’s associate‑member proposal.
What we know
Carney delivered a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday.
Von der Leyen proposed Canada become the EU’s first ever associate member.
Bilateral tariffs on more than $20 billion in products, including textiles and apparel, were levied after USMCA talks broke down.
Trump threatened very serious tariffs or a halt to trade with Europe if he saw the EU’s offer as hostile.
Carney said polling shows an overwhelming majority of Canadians support closer ties with Europe.