Donald Trump told reporters at a Washington press briefing on Wednesday that he would impose "very serious tariffs" on European goods if Brussels moves forward with Canada’s associate membership. He added that the decision would be "a possibility" if the move is deemed a hostile act.
Ursula von der Leyen, the EU chief, announced in Strasbourg that Canada could become the bloc’s first non‑European associate member, a step Carney plans to discuss during his Thursday speech. Von der Leyen framed the partnership as a new "alliance for the future" and called for stronger ties in tech, defense and energy.
Carney’s office warned that the U.S. tariff threat would hurt Canadian exporters, noting that the CETA free‑trade agreement had lifted almost all tariffs between Canada and the EU since 2016. The Canadian leader himself has been pushing for closer ties as the country faces a trade war with the United States.
EU member states must approve any new partnership, and the associate‑membership idea has not yet received a clear mandate from member capitals. The proposal is reminiscent of a 2023 plan that would have allowed Ukraine to attend EU summits without full voting rights.
The next EU‑Canada summit is scheduled for Montreal next month, but the potential tariff imposition could stall the associate‑membership plan until the EU’s legislative bodies weigh the risks and benefits.