Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament on September 17, 2026, discussing the possibility of Canada becoming the EU's first associate member. He emphasized the importance of deep cooperation between Canada and Europe in areas such as energy, economic security, education, technology, and defense. Carney's remarks followed an invitation from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for Canada to consider this status.
While Canada and the EU already have a comprehensive trade agreement known as CETA, Carney highlighted that additional collaboration could help both parties address challenges posed by global superpowers like the USA and China, as well as by large tech companies. He stated that the aim of associate membership would not be to create a new superpower but to foster multilateral governance among like-minded nations.
Carney's speech received a positive response in the European Parliament, but reactions in the United States were less favorable. President Donald Trump dismissed the proposal and threatened to impose tariffs if the agreement were to proceed, labeling it a potential 'hostile act.'
The discussion around associate membership comes as Canada, along with other nations like Japan and South Korea, seeks closer ties with the EU amid concerns over the reliability of the US as a trade and defense partner. However, any potential agreement would require approval from all 27 EU member states, and there are concerns about the implications for existing trade agreements and the potential for conflicts of interest.
The concept of associate membership remains uncertain, with previous suggestions for similar arrangements, such as for Ukraine, being rejected by some EU countries. The EU is under pressure to adapt its rules to accommodate nations seeking closer relationships without full membership.