Canada's latest play in its trade fight with the US: it might join the EU as an 'associate' member

Sep 16, 2026 05:18 PM - 2 hours ago 3

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney astatine the inaugural Canada Investment Summit successful Toronto connected September 15, 2026.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking person ties pinch Europe. VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images

Canada could go the European Union's first "associate member" arsenic it looks to fortify its world relationships amid escalating waste and acquisition tensions pinch the US and President Donald Trump.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that she wanted to "open the door" to the caller arrangement, which is not presently defined successful EU treaties.

"In short, we want to bring the narration pinch Canada to the highest level possible," von der Leyen said.

The connection would deepen practice connected manufacturing, AI, captious minerals, energy, defense, and Arctic policy.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has sought person ties pinch Europe aft US-Canada waste and acquisition talks collapsed past month, prompting retaliatory tariffs. Canada is not seeking afloat EU membership.

This is simply a breaking news story. Please cheque backmost for updates.

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Thibault is simply a tech newsman astatine Business Insider's London office.He covers the intersection of exertion and activity — focusing connected AI’s effect connected the workplace, occupation and cognitive skills, and really economical changes are affecting careers.Before moving to the trending team, Thibault covered world affairs, including the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions successful the South China Sea, and Russia’s system connected the news desk.He has antecedently worked astatine the Daily Express and held internships astatine Agence France-Presse, Politico Europe, and Factal.Il parle français. Habla español.Email Thibault astatine [email protected], link pinch him connected LinkedIn @ThibaultSpirlet, aliases travel him connected X @ThibaultSpirlet and BlueSky @thibaultspirlet.bsky.social.Expertise

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