Canada And Europe Are Growing Closer, Much To Trump's Chagrin
- 30.09.2026, 17:36
This will be a new format for cooperation.
Canada and the European Union are discussing the possibility of taking their relationship to a new level against the backdrop of a changing world order and the policies of Donald Trump’s administration. A proposal has already been made in Brussels to consider a form of associate membership in the EU for Canada, according to Foreign Policy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned this idea in her September address to the European Parliament. However, there is no official “associate member” status in EU treaties. Therefore, this most likely refers to the creation of a new format for close cooperation.
Canada is already linked to the European Union through the CETA free trade agreement. Now the parties want to expand their partnership to include critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, space, and financial services. A separate agreement on digital trade is also being discussed.
“Canada and Europe need each other more than ever,” the authors write.
The relationship is gaining additional momentum amid Ottawa’s and Brussels’ efforts to reduce their dependence on the United States. Washington remains the main partner for both sides on security and economic issues, but Trump’s policies are forcing them to seek new opportunities for trade and cooperation.
Canada has already become the first non-European country to join the European SAFE initiative, which focuses on defense investments.
The long-term prospects for Canada’s special status will depend primarily on the extent to which the European Union itself is ready for more flexible forms of integration. Against the backdrop of deepening ties with Norway, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Ukraine, the idea of an intermediate status could take on new significance.
“Europe will have to become an expert,” the authors note.
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