Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Ottawa is turning its eyes across the Atlantic amid the trade war with the US.
The European Union is preparing to take an unprecedented step, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the bloc wants to open the door for Canada to become its first associate member, Reuters and CNBC reported.
The announcement comes after trade talks between Ottawa and Washington collapsed last month, triggering sharp tariff disputes. Facing a new economic reality, Canadian leaders quickly turned toward Europe.
While Brussels has historically resisted flexible membership categories, global instability forced a change in mindset.
Von der Leyen framed the proposal as a vital step for democratic values. “Partnerships are a strategic choice for Europe. But they also respond to the fracture in the international rules-based system,” she told the European Parliament.
Bonds beyond borders
Addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Strasbourg, von der Leyen highlighted their shared outlook.
“We see the world with the same eyes: from AI to climate change, from the Arctic to geopolitics,” she noted, adding that “Europe and Canada believe in democracy.”
Carney previously noted that Canada seeks a unique security and economic alliance rather than full EU membership. Still, European leaders are eager to push trans-Atlantic boundaries further.
Von der Leyen extended an explicit invitation to Ottawa, telling lawmakers: “I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU.”
The initiative spans critical minerals, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and defense production.
Walking a tightrope
Von der Leyen mapped out an ambitious blueprint for deep industrial cooperation. “We will work on intelligent manufacturing,” she said, promising to “create a tech alliance” and “integrate defence industrial bases” while turning the Arctic into a flagship project.
European officials remain mindful of Washington. Von der Leyen stressed that “this is a partnership not against anyone else,” aiming to avoid friction with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Carney addresses European lawmakers on Thursday, setting the stage for a new trans-Atlantic era.
