U.S. President Donald Trump threatened “very serious tariffs” — or even stopping trade with Europe on many goods — if the European Union moves ahead with making Canada its first “associate member,” calling the idea “laughable,” Reuters and the BBC reported Thursday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday she wanted to work on “opening the door” for Canadian associate status, with closer ties on manufacturing, energy, and other sectors. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, welcomed that ambition, said Canada is not seeking full EU membership, and framed a deeper alliance as a response to a “geopolitical rupture” in which tariffs and financial tools are used for pressure. He told reporters afterward that nobody will dictate Canada’s language, culture, or whom it can strike agreements with — and that a stronger Canada would be a more effective partner for the United States. A Montreal summit at the end of October is meant to drill down details.
Trump, speaking en route to an event in North Carolina, said if he sees a “hostile act” or “bad intention,” he will hit Europe hard; if the intention is good, “that’s fine.” Canadian Conservatives have already flagged worries about EU rules on taxes, laws, and immigration, while an Abacus Data survey cited by the BBC found about 80% of Canadians support deeper strategic co-operation with the EU.
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