Canada Invited to Joint EU

[ABS News Service/17.09.2026]

The European Union has invited Canada to work toward becoming the bloc’s first “associate member,” a title meant to underscore Canada’s growing closeness to the 27-nation union as both face deteriorating relationships with the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported.

President Trump has waged a relentless trade war with Canada, challenging the nation’s economy. The United States has pulled back support for NATO and Ukraine, leaving the European Union scrambling to shore up its defenses. That has left both looking for new partners as the alliances established after World War II shift.

“We must urgently reimagine our partnerships,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive arm, on Wednesday during a speech in Strasbourg, France. Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, was seated directly to Ms. von der Leyen’s left as she made her address.

“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union,” Ms. von der Leyen told him.

Though details remain scant and the linkup is not a done deal, the announcement Wednesday was met with a standing ovation from lawmakers, and Mr. Carney and Ms. von der Leyen shook hands warmly as she made the announcement.

Ms. von der Leyen said the proposal was “not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength.” But it is clear that Europe and Canada see themselves caught between a competitive China and an at-times-hostile Trump administration.

Ms. von der Leyen did not lay out in detail what associate membership to the European Union might entail. But European diplomats and officials in recent days have made it clear that Canada and the European Union, which will meet for a summit at the end of October, are working toward closer cooperation on technology regulation, trade and the supply of critical minerals.