Canadian authorities liked the idea of associate membership in the EU // Canadian Prime Minister Carney welcomed the proposal of associate membership in the EU

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney praised the EU’s proposal for “associated membership.” He called for closer transatlantic cooperation, including in the areas of defense, mining and artificial intelligence.

“Canada welcomes this initiative,” he said at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg. Canada and Europe must secure their own strategic autonomy through deep cooperation. No one can tell Canada who to work with.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Europe to “urgently rethink partnerships” and grant Canada the status of the first associate member of the EU. She also called for the formation of a European Security Council that would unite the EU, Canada, the UK and Norway. U.S. President Donald Trump has deemed these European plans hostile and threatened to impose new trade tariffs.