Some Canadians are already embracing their newfound European identities after the European Union floated the potential for “associate member” status amid the trade war with the United States. Canada is not joining the EU, but the prospect of a new kind of relationship with Europe had been kicking around for days. It comes after Canada and the US’s trade war broke out as negotiations failed to head off US President Donald Trump’s threatened 50 percent tariffs on nearly $20bn worth of Canadian products, including machinery, textiles and hockey sticks.
Back-and-forth retaliatory measures have resulted in both sides slapping new tariffs on each other. Canadian officials initially pushed back on news reports of the “associate membership” possibility with the EU. Then, on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the proposal public.
By Thursday, Canada’s own vision was becoming clearer. Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed von der Leyen’s ambition, describing what he wanted as an “alliance for the future” spanning critical minerals, defence, artificial intelligence, energy, digital trade, research and financial services. He also called for making it easier for young Canadians and Europeans to work, study and live on either side of the Atlantic.
Whatever the partnership is ultimately called, getting closer to Europe appears to have broad support at home. An Abacus Data survey conducted from September 4 to 9, before the proposal was officially confirmed, found 81 percent of Canadians supported closer integration with the EU while remaining outside the bloc, including making it easier for transatlantic trade, travel, work and study. Eighty percent backed deeper cooperation on foreign policy, defence and economic priorities, up six percentage points since February.
David Coletto, founder and CEO of Abacus Data, said he did not expect those numbers to have shifted significantly now that the conversation has turned to “associate membership”. He said the support makes more sense against a striking shift in how Canadians view the United States. Positive impressions of the EU have risen to 71 percent, while just 21 percent now have a positive view of the US.
Flight attendant Donna Gordon welcomes closer ties. She was among several people Al Jazeera spoke to in Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on Thursday. She said they made sense given “the state of our negotiations with the United States right now, or lack thereof”.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
