EU Signals Openness to Canada Becoming First Associate Member
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tells Canadian PM Mark Carney the bloc wants to explore a closer partnership as Ottawa seeks to diversify away from US trade.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday that the European Union wants to open the door for Canada to become its first associate member, according to The Guardian.
Von der Leyen said such a partnership would create what she described as "common prosperity" rooted in shared democratic values, the report said.
The overture comes as tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, along with his repeated suggestions that Canada could become the 51st US state, have pushed Ottawa to pursue closer economic and security ties with Europe, according to the report.
Carney has called for a "unique alliance" with the EU as Canada looks to reduce its heavy reliance on trade with the United States, the report said.
The Guardian noted that becoming an associate member would represent a new category of relationship between the EU and a non-member state, though further details on what such status would entail were not specified in the report.
Sources
- European Union opens door for Canada to become first associate member — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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