Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized Donald Trump, telling European lawmakers Thursday that he supports his country’s bid to become an associate member of the EU.
Carney addresses the European Parliament after Trump suggested allowing Canada to become an associate member could be a “hostile act.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the EU’s first associate member, a striking initiative as Trump’s threats push Ottawa closer to Europe.
In an address to lawmakers in Strasbourg, Carney called on the European Union to join forces with Ottawa, saying the two countries share common values and are “stronger together.”
“We are not allies in fair weather. We do not seek zero-sum transactions. We share the same values that we have always fought for and that we must always remain vigilant in defending,” Carney said.
“Canada and Europe are strong. Europe and Canada are stronger together.”
Speaking in Charlotte, North Carolina, Trump threatened to respond to the proposed move with new tariffs on the bloc.
Trump based his latest threat on the “intention” of European leaders, saying: “If it’s a good intention, then that’s fine.” If this is a bad intention, we will impose very high tariffs on Europe.”
Carney addresses the European Parliament after Trump suggested allowing Canada to become an associate member of the EU could be a “hostile act.”
He also suggested that the US could cut off trade with Europe in certain areas.
Trump called the prospect of Canada joining the EU “ridiculous” and called America’s neighbor a “terrible trading partner.”
For generations, Canada has built its economy around integration with the United States.
Trump’s tariffs, demands for economic concessions and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state are now forcing Ottawa to reduce that dependence and seek deeper economic, security and political relationships across the Atlantic.
Von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the EU’s first associate member, a status that currently does not exist in the bloc’s treaties and should be created.
She said Europe wants to take its relationship with Canada to the “highest level.”
Carney, sitting in the front row of the European Parliament chamber, nodded and stood to hug von der Leyen as lawmakers gave the proposal a standing ovation.
Von der Leyen said Canada and the EU must move beyond the existing free trade agreement and create an “Alliance for the Future” covering “an area of shared prosperity and economic security.”
Carney will host EU leaders at the Canada-EU summit in Montreal on October 29-30, where the two sides are expected to discuss the proposed new relationship in more detail.
Canada sends roughly 70 percent of its exports to the United States, making it highly vulnerable to Trump’s tariffs.
Ottawa retaliated and rejected the demands, which Carney said threatened Canadian sovereignty.
Europe took a different tack, delaying retaliation and imposing tariffs of up to 15 percent on most EU exports to the United States.
Carney has repeatedly called on middle powers to resist this kind of economic coercion.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, he warned that when countries negotiate alone with a dominant power, “we are negotiating from a place of weakness.” We accept what is offered.”
Trump rebuked him the next day, and Thursday’s speech could further strain relations.
Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s ambassador-designate to the EU, said Wednesday that Canada is not seeking full EU membership because it would require giving up some sovereignty.
Instead, Ottawa wants to “get as close as possible” to Europe while increasing Canada’s independence.
What exactly associate membership will mean is still to be discussed.
Canada has already taken an important step towards European integration. This year it became the first non-European country to join the €150 billion ($173 billion) SAFE defense procurement program, giving Canadian companies access to joint procurement as Europe increases defense spending.
The two sides also discussed closer cooperation in energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and digital trade.
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