US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose “very serious tariffs” on Europe after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the European Union’s first associate member.
Mr Trump branded the idea “laughable” and warned that Washington could impose punitive trade measures if he deemed the move hostile.
President’s warning
Asked about the proposal, Mr Trump said: “If they do that, if I think it’s at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe, on many things.”
He added: “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe, which is a possibility.”
The warning came after Ms von der Leyen used her annual State of the Union address to call for much closer ties between Brussels and Ottawa.
Proposal details
She told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was attending the European Parliament in Strasbourg, that she wanted to “open the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU”.
Ms von der Leyen said Europe and Canada should move beyond their existing trading relationship and build a wider partnership covering areas including defence, technology, energy and critical minerals.
She also proposed cooperation on artificial intelligence, batteries, cybersecurity and Arctic policy.
Reaction and context
The European Commission president argued that the changing global security environment meant democratic allies needed to strengthen their relationships.
But the proposed status is not currently recognised under EU treaties, meaning its precise terms and what rights it would give Canada remain unclear.
The idea also reportedly caught several EU governments by surprise, with diplomats saying member states had not been consulted before Ms von der Leyen made the announcement.
Canada is not seeking full EU membership, while Mr Carney has described the country's desired relationship with Europe as a “unique alliance”.
The proposal comes as relations between Ottawa and Washington have deteriorated amid an escalating trade dispute. Mr Carney has been seeking to reduce Canada's economic dependence on the US by strengthening ties with other partners, including the EU.
The bloc already has a free-trade agreement with Canada, while cooperation has also expanded into defence and other strategic areas.
Ms von der Leyen said the proposed partnership was “not against anyone else, but for our common strength”.
Mr Trump’s response has now raised the prospect of another confrontation over Europe’s relationship with Canada, with the US President warning that tariffs or restrictions on trade could follow if he considers the move hostile.
