Trump calls EU offer to Canada of associate membership ‘laughable’, while threatening tariffs
The US president calls the move a ‘hostile act’, as Canada seeks to move closer to the EU and diversify its defence ties
TL;DR
- Donald Trump has threatened the EU with "serious tariffs" and trade cessation over the bloc's proposal to make Canada an associate member.
- European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada to become the EU's first associate member, emphasizing closer cooperation in tech, defense, and energy.
- Canada has also formally applied to join the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force military coalition, diversifying its defense ties.
- The EU has never had an associate membership category, though it has close economic ties with Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland.
- Von der Leyen described the proposed partnership with Canada as an "alliance for the future," focusing on areas like intelligent manufacturing, tech, defense industrial bases, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, batteries, AI, cyber, and economic security.