Canada Weighs EU Associate Membership as Trump Objects

In September 2026, Canada welcomed a European Union proposal that would make it the EU's first "associate member." Prime Minister Mark Carney endorsed the idea, saying Canada and Europe should work together to protect democracies, and told the European Parliament the two are "strong, even stronger together." He also said closer EU-Canada ties would make Canada a "better partner for the US."

US President Donald Trump criticized the plan, calling it "laughable" and saying associate membership could amount to a "hostile act." He raised the possibility of tariffs on Canada. The EU defended its proposal, and Carney continued to support it.