USA · 17 September, 2026 · 3 min read
Donald Trump Threatens Large Tariffs On Europe If Canada Becomes EU Associate Member
Trump threatens very high tariffs or halting trade if Canada becomes EU associate member. EU proposes Canada to become the EU's first associate member, expanding ties.
47 outlets, one story, no spin found.
10 of 12 outlets skipped it: canada applied to join the Joint Expeditionary Force.
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Trump tariffs over Canada-EU
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to impose large tariffs on Europe or even stop trading directly with the bloc if Canada is named the EU’s first “associate member,” calling the move a “hostile act.”
“Trump said at a news conference in North Carolina that Canada's potential integration into the EU would be a "hostile act"”
Trump made the remarks at a news conference in North Carolina, saying Canada’s potential integration into the EU would be “hostile act” and that he would impose “serious tariffs” to slow Europe down.
The proposal was raised by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before the European Parliament, where she said she wanted to “open the door” for Canada to become the EU’s first “associated member.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney clarified on Sunday that his government does not seek for Canada to become a member of the EU, but to pursue a “unique alliance” with the bloc.
A poll by Abacus Data released on Monday showed that 81% support greater integration with the EU without Canada becoming a member of the bloc, while 80% back deepening strategic cooperation in foreign policy, defense and economy.
Von der Leyen and Carney
Speaking to the European Parliament, von der Leyen backed proposals for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member,” telling lawmakers she wanted to work on “opening the door” for Canada.
Von der Leyen insisted it would not be a “partnership against anyone else,” and she said the bloc and Canada “see the world with the same eyes,” including on topics ranging from AI to climate change and geopolitics.
Trump, however, dismissed the prospect of Canada joining the EU as “laughable” and warned that if he judged the move to be hostile he would “put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe, on many things.”
Carney, who was in attendance in Strasbourg and is due to address the parliament on Thursday, has previously described what Canada is pursuing as a “unique alliance” with Europe rather than membership in the bloc.
The BBC also noted that “associate membership” does not currently exist as a category in EU treaties, and the process, if agreed, could take years.
What happens next
The proposal remains undefined in EU treaties, and any arrangement would need to be created and ratified by member states, with the status not currently existing as a formal category under EU treaties.
“Canada will then host the next Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Oct. 29-30.”
Axios reported that if the proposal goes through it would deepen ties beyond the existing trade agreement, while also testing whether Canada can find economic independence by moving closer to Europe as it reduces reliance on the U.S.
Axios also said Carney is expected to address the European Parliament on Thursday, and Canada will then host the next Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Oct. 29-30.
In parallel, Trump’s threats were tied to his view of the EU-Canada plan, with the BBC saying the U.S. president threatened to cut trade with the European Union in response to the proposal.
The BBC further said von der Leyen proposed the formation of a European Security Council, describing it as urgent given the “nature and scale of the risks at play,” and said it would include partners like Canada.