USA

EU Offers Canada Associate Membership, Trump Threatens Tariffs

19 September 2026 08:09 AM

NEWS DESK

The European Union has proposed making Canada an associate member of the bloc, prompting a warning from US President Donald Trump that Washington could impose heavy tariffs or restrict trade with Europe if the plan is implemented.

Trump described the proposal as “ridiculous” and said on Wednesday that the United States could respond with punitive trade measures if he considered the move hostile.

“If they do it, and I think it's hostile, I will put very substantial tariffs on them,” Trump told reporters. “Or we could stop doing business with Europe on a lot of things.”

The US president added that Washington would accept the move if its intentions were positive, but warned that Europe could face “very substantial tariffs” if he believed the proposal had hostile intentions.

EU says proposal is not directed against US

Responding to Trump's remarks, European Commission trade spokesperson Olof Gill said Thursday that the proposal to deepen ties with Canada was not an initiative directed against the United States.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also stressed this point during her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the speech, where von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU's first associate member.

“Our democracies are facing a fracturing of the rules-based international order,” von der Leyen said, arguing that Brussels and Ottawa should strengthen their cooperation.

She identified technology, defence and energy as key areas for closer collaboration.

Addressing Carney directly, von der Leyen said she wanted to “open the door for Canada to be the first associate member of our Union.” Members of the European Parliament responded by standing and applauding the Canadian prime minister.

Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament during the second day of the State of the European Union proceedings.

Von der Leyen said the EU and Canada should move beyond traditional trade cooperation toward a broader strategic partnership.

“We will work on our production systems. We will build a technology alliance. We will integrate the foundations of our defence industries,” she said, adding that the Arctic should become an important joint project.

She also highlighted critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and economic security as potential areas for deeper EU-Canada cooperation.

“This is not a partnership against anyone,” von der Leyen said. “It is a partnership of shared strength.”

The proposal comes as both Canada and the EU seek to diversify their partnerships amid growing tensions with the Trump administration.

Ottawa and Brussels have been looking to strengthen economic and strategic ties and reduce their dependence on the United States in key areas.

Carney has been pursuing closer relations with the EU since taking office, and an EU-Canada summit is scheduled to take place in Montreal next month.

The proposed associate-membership arrangement would represent a significant expansion of the EU's relationship with Canada, although its precise institutional and economic terms would still need to be negotiated.

European Union Canada