European Union opens door for Canada to become first associate member

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The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, told the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, on Wednesday that she wants to open the door for his country to become the EU’s first associate member.

The overture comes as Trump’s tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa to seek closer economic and security ties with Europe. Carney has called for a “unique alliance” with the EU as Canada seeks to reduce its heavy dependence on US trade.