Carney backs proposal for Canada to become EU’s first associate member

Carney received a rousing welcome as he entered the European Parliament chamber. Many lawmakers approached him to shake his hand and take selfies, and he received a standing ovation after his speech. One lawmaker wore a Canadian hockey jersey.

In a speech that repeatedly praised cooperation between Europe and Canada, Carney said he welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal, unveiled on Sept. 16.

Carney acknowledged that the concept of “associate membership” still needs to be defined and outlined the substance of his proposal: deeper integration between Canada and Europe in trade, defense, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, space, research and financial services, making both sides less vulnerable to economic and geopolitical pressure.

“I am not proposing that we create a third bloc in order to rival the great powers — just with better manners. We are not seeking power in order to dominate others,” Carney said.

He said the goal is to strengthen Canada’s resilience so that no country can control its markets, undermine its sovereignty or dictate its decisions.

For generations, Canada built its economy around integration with the United States, AP reported. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, demands for economic concessions and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa to reduce its dependence on the United States and seek much deeper economic, security and political ties with Europe.

Carney will host EU leaders at a Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Oct. 29–30. The two sides are expected to discuss the proposed new relationship in greater detail there.

Canada and the European Union draw closer

Bloomberg reported that the European Union sees greater potential for closer ties with Canada than with the United Kingdom. The report said the EU and Canada are working to establish a new, comprehensive relationship spanning a wide range of issues, from trade to security, with the aim of creating a transatlantic alliance intended to counterbalance the United States and China.

The Financial Times, citing sources, also reported that Canada is in talks to join a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine as Carney seeks to strengthen transatlantic ties and reduce dependence on the United States.

On Sept. 16 in Strasbourg, von der Leyen publicly proposed making Canada the EU’s first associate member during her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament.

In response, Trump threatened the European Union with sweeping new tariffs if Washington views granting Canada EU associate member status as a hostile move against the United States.