Carney embraces EU associate membership proposal as Trump pushes Canada closer to Europe

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed a proposal for Canada to become the European Union’s first “associate member,” signaling a potentially significant shift in Canada’s economic and strategic relationships as tensions with the United States grow.

Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Carney said Canada wants deeper cooperation with Europe to strengthen its economic independence and protect its sovereignty. The proposed relationship would go beyond the existing Canada-EU free trade agreement, expanding cooperation in trade, defense, critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence, space, research and financial services. Carney emphasized that Canada is not seeking full EU membership.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the new associate status, which does not currently exist under EU treaties and would therefore have to be formally created. She has called for an “Alliance for the Future” between Canada and Europe built around economic security and closer strategic cooperation. The details are expected to be discussed further when Canada hosts EU leaders in Montreal on October 29–30.

The proposal comes as Canada seeks to reduce its heavy economic reliance on the United States. Roughly 70% of Canadian exports currently go to the U.S., leaving Canada particularly exposed to American tariffs and trade disputes. President Donald Trump has criticized the proposed EU relationship, suggesting it could constitute a “hostile act” depending on Europe’s intentions and warning that additional tariffs could follow.

Carney responded by stressing Canada’s right to determine its own economic and diplomatic relationships. His broader argument is that countries such as Canada should cooperate with other “middle powers” rather than remain vulnerable to pressure from any single dominant economic power.

Canada has already moved closer to Europe on defense, becoming the first non-European country to participate in the EU’s €150 billion SAFE defense procurement initiative. Further cooperation is also being discussed in energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and digital trade. Any formal new partnership with the EU would ultimately be debated and voted on by Canada’s Parliament.

By Rob Gillies, Associated Press. Lorne Cook contributed reporting from Brussels.