Ursula Von Der Leyen Proposes Canada As The EU’s First Associate Member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the European Union’s first “associate member,” framing the move as a way to deepen ties beyond the existing free trade agreement known as CETA.

“proposed making Canada the European Union’s first associate member”

10News

Von der Leyen told Prime Minister Mark Carney, “Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy,” and said the expanded partnership would cover sectors including advanced manufacturing, technology, defense production, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and economic security.

10News

The proposal comes as Trump’s threats drive Ottawa closer to Europe, with the 10News report noting that Trump’s tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have soured the relationship between the North American neighbors.1

Canada’s ambassador-designate to the EU, Jonathan Wilkinson, said Ottawa had discussed associate membership with European officials before von der Leyen’s speech and “knew that that was something that was on the table,” while also saying Canada is not seeking full EU membership because it would require surrendering some sovereignty.

Carney said Canada is not looking to become a member of the European Union, telling reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, “We’re not looking to become a member of the European Union,” while describing the goal as a “unique alliance.”

A senior Canadian official told The Associated Press that the aim of the visit is to strengthen Canada’s sovereignty and that Canada would not be willing to give up “our rights to Brussels.”

1News.az

In parallel, the AP reported that Carney is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday after von der Leyen’s State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, where Carney received a standing ovation.

The Al Jazeera account added that Carney’s visit is set to run in advance of an EU-Canada summit in Montreal next month, with Carney delivering his own address to the European Parliament on Thursday.A

The 10News report said it is unclear who would need to approve an associate membership arrangement and how long it could take, noting that currently all steps toward EU membership must be approved unanimously by the 27 member countries.1

“all steps toward EU membership must be approved unanimously by the 27 member countries”

10News

Wilkinson told reporters that Ottawa and Brussels are focusing first on the substance of the relationship rather than what to call it, saying, “Before you actually get to the point where you decide what you’re going to call something, you should actually know the shape.”

The Al Jazeera report said EU treaties do not envision the possibility of becoming an “associate member,” and it described the idea as first proposed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz this year regarding Ukraine.A

It also said the EU and Canada would work together on sectors ranging from manufacturing to AI, critical minerals and energy, while von der Leyen added, “This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength,” as the relationship is pushed toward “a broader ‘alliance for the future’.”