Taking on Trump? Canada and EU forge closer ties
Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has welcomed the EU’s proposal for Canada to become the bloc’s first ‘associate member’, despite threats from Donald Trump over the plan. The US president said Washington could impose ‘very serious tariffs’ or halt trade if the EU went ahead with the idea. But in a defiant speech to the European parliament, Carney called for ‘deep cooperation’ and said polling showed the overwhelming majority of Canadians supported closer ties with Europe. Lucy Hough speaks to Europe correspondent Jon Henley
TL;DR
- Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney supports the EU's proposal for Canada to become an 'associate member'.
- This initiative faces opposition from US President Donald Trump, who has threatened trade sanctions.
- Carney expressed a desire for 'deep cooperation' with the EU.
- Public opinion in Canada reportedly favors stronger connections with Europe.
- The proposed associate membership would make Canada the first country to hold such a status with the EU.