Carney Backs Canada as EU Associate Member

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney endorsed the European Union’s proposal to make Canada its first associate member, seeking expanded cooperation on trade, defense, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, research and Arctic security. Carney said the arrangement would strengthen Canada’s resilience and sovereignty without pursuing full EU membership or creating a rival power bloc, and proposed making it easier for Canadians and Europeans to live, work and study across the Atlantic. The framework remains undefined under current EU treaties and would require approval from all 27 EU member states, potentially taking years to implement. The initiative comes amid worsening relations between Ottawa and Washington, including U.S. tariff threats, demands for concessions and President Donald Trump’s warnings that the plan could trigger severe tariffs or an end to trade with Europe. Supporters view closer European ties as a way to diversify Canada’s economy and reduce dependence on the United States, while critics warn that distance, EU bureaucracy and regulatory constraints could undermine Canadian sovereignty and economic interests.