STRASBOURG, France — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed a proposal for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member, saying deeper ties with Europe could help protect Canada’s markets, sovereignty and economic independence.
Speaking to the European Parliament on Thursday, September 17, Carney said Canada was seeking stronger cooperation with Europe across trade, defence, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, space, research and financial services.
His remarks came a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the bloc’s first associate member during her annual State of the European Union address. The proposed status does not currently exist under EU treaties and would have to be negotiated and defined.
Carney said the objective was not to establish a new geopolitical bloc aimed at challenging major powers, but to increase Canada’s resilience and reduce its vulnerability to economic and political pressure.
“I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great power rival only with better manners,” Carney told lawmakers.
He added that Canada was not seeking power to dominate other countries, but wanted to ensure that no country could control its markets, undermine its sovereignty or dictate its choices.
The Canadian prime minister received a warm reception in the European Parliament, where lawmakers gave him a standing ovation after his speech. His appearance came as Canada and the EU seek to significantly expand their existing relationship.
Europe proposes a new partnership
Von der Leyen said Wednesday that the EU wanted to move beyond its existing trade relationship with Canada and establish what she called an “Alliance for the Future.”
The proposed partnership would seek to create a closer economic and security relationship covering areas including defence production, advanced technology, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the Arctic.
Carney welcomed the proposal, while acknowledging that the meaning and practical arrangements of “associate membership” still have to be negotiated.
Canada is not seeking full EU membership. Canadian officials have said Ottawa wants to deepen its relationship with Europe while maintaining its sovereignty.
The two sides are expected to discuss the proposal further when Carney hosts EU leaders at a Canada-EU summit in Montreal on October 29 and 30.
Trump warns of possible response
The proposal has drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Canada’s closer relationship with the EU could constitute a “hostile act” and threatened to impose heavy tariffs on European countries if he determined that the move was unfriendly.
The European Commission has rejected the idea that the proposed partnership is directed against the United States, saying the effort is intended to strengthen cooperation between Canada and Europe.
Canada has traditionally relied heavily on the U.S. market, with roughly 70% of its exports going to the United States. However, trade tensions, U.S. tariffs and repeated comments from Trump about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state have encouraged Ottawa to seek stronger economic and strategic relationships elsewhere.
Carney has repeatedly argued that countries should avoid becoming overly dependent on a single dominant economic power.
Defence and economic cooperation
Canada has already taken steps toward closer cooperation with the EU. Earlier this year, it became the first non-European country to join the EU’s SAFE defence procurement programme, giving Canadian companies access to joint European defence procurement opportunities.
Ottawa and Brussels are also exploring cooperation in critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, digital trade, space and financial services.
The proposed associate membership would therefore build on existing economic and strategic ties rather than create an entirely new relationship.
For Canada, the initiative represents an effort to broaden its international partnerships at a time of growing uncertainty in its relationship with the United States.
For the EU, closer cooperation with Canada would strengthen ties with a major democratic partner outside Europe while expanding collaboration in areas considered strategically important.
The precise structure of Canada’s possible associate membership remains to be negotiated, meaning the proposal is still at an early stage.
