BRUSSELS — The European Commission sprang into damage-control mode Thursday over its surprise offer to bring Canada on board as the EU’s first “associate member” — a proposal that immediately triggered U.S. President Donald Trump’s wrath. Trump threatened to impose “very heavy tariffs” if the proposal goes through, warning that he could treat European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen’s audacious offer to Ottawa as a “hostile act.” Von der Leyen proposed upgrading relations with Ottawa during her annual State of the Union speech in Strasbourg on Wednesday, saying the move would help to “urgently reimagine our partnerships” and “build global coalitions for our resilience and democracies.” Responding to Trump’s comments, the Commission was keen to stress the move was not intended to antagonize.
Trump’s threats drew a more robust response from Kathleen Van Brempt, the Belgian vice chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee. We will not be pressured into abandoning that cooperation,” she said. It shows precisely why closer cooperation between Europe and Canada is wise and necessary.
He does not think the idea is ridiculous. He fears it.” Von der Leyen’s bombshell offer of associate membership to Canada has left the Commission isolated. The EU’s biggest countries have raised concerns about the untried concept, which appeared to be aimed at showcasing closer ties between Brussels and Ottawa as their trade relations with the United States come under strain.
The EU has no existing model for associate membership, while any decision on full membership would involve the Council, the bloc’s intergovernmental arm, and require the European Parliament’s consent. French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that the offer to Canada had not yet been agreed by capitals. An alliance for the future is a unique, positive approach that we will define together, building on our common strengths and based on shared values,” Carney said.
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