STRASBOURG — Mark Carney used an address to the European Parliament to to sketch out what Ottawa would want from closer ties with the EU but declined to give full-throated approval of Ursula von der Leyen’s surprise “associate member” plan. Speaking a day after the Commission president floated the unique relationship status, the Canadian prime minister acknowledged the offer and instead of accepting it outright, listed potential individual areas of cooperation, including critical minerals, defense, AI, energy security, and space. He also called for more seamless digital trade in non-agricultural goods and services, as well as Canadian participation in Erasmus+, the EU's student exchange program.
"We welcome this ambition," he said, after name-checking the idea of von der Leyen, who was sitting in the audience. "Polling shows an overwhelming majority of Canadians support much closer ties." Carney's list of potential tie-ups was an early attempt to put substance behind what, for now, remains a largely undefined political proposition. The “associate member” idea had caused confusion on Wednesday because the Commission hadn't run it past European capitals in advance and no such status currently exists.
President Donald Trump said he might respond with “serious tariffs” if Canada were to become closer to the EU. "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. In a press conference after the speech, Carney was asked if the Canadian people would have a say on associate membership.
There will be debates, and there will be a vote in the Canadian parliament, but at this point, this is just the beginning of the process.”
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