The first “associate member” of the European Union (EU) will soon be Canada. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, has extended an invitation to the nation.
Von der Leyen says the EU and Canada have similar democratic principles and responses to a number of significant challenges, including geopolitics, AI, climate breakdown, and the conflict in Ukraine.
In her address to the Strasbourg European Parliament, der Leyen stated:
“We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible. We must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU.”
By doing this, Canada hopes to lessen its significant reliance on US commerce.
Because they have similar values, Canada and the EU are ideal partners. In order to provide their people with greater possibilities and prosperity, they are both focused on what lies ahead: a stronger relationship that upholds their shared sovereignty.
In order to advance their future partnership, the EU and Canada are scheduled to meet in late October.
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Although Canada and the EU already have a trade agreement and many bilateral accords, they have been becoming closer since Donald Trump took office, increased taxes on both former friends, and frequently threatened to make Canada the 51st US state while criticizing the EU.
In order to establish “shared prosperity and economic security,” Von der Leyen stated that the current EU-Canada trade agreement would be upgraded to a “alliance for the future and economic security space”.
The two sides would also create a tech alliance, integrate defence industrial bases and make the Arctic a “flagship joint project”.
Despite having strong relations to Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland, which enable extensive economic integration with these nations that adhere to many EU regulations, the 27-member EU has never had an associate membership status. The implications of associate membership, particularly for Canada’s ties to the EU single market, are still unknown.
After declaring in August 2026 that it would not submit to US subjugation, Canada declared it was ending trade negotiations with the US and imposed retaliatory taxes on billions of dollars’ worth of US goods. In contrast, in order to prevent a trade war with Trump, the EU last year dropped its own taxes while accepting 15% tariffs on a number of European imports.
Other EU allies, such as the UK, which has long wanted a more accommodating stance from Brussels, would undoubtedly dispute the offer of associate membership.