EU chief pitches 'associate member' status for Canada
Summary
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the bloc’s first “associate member” as Brussels and Ottawa deepen cooperation on technology, defence and energy. The move comes ahead of an EU-Canada summit in Montreal, with both sides seeking closer ties amid tensions with the United States and China.
Key Points
- Ursula von der Leyen floated the idea of Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member during a speech in Strasbourg.
- She said the EU and Canada should build a broader alliance covering tech, defence, energy, AI, cyber and critical minerals.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the annual EU address as part of a push for closer ties with Europe.
- Existing cooperation between the EU and Canada includes the CETA trade deal and Canada’s participation in an EU defence loan programme.
