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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Julia Payne

Could Canada become the EU’s first associate member? What we know

  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening the door for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member.
  • Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Canada is seeking a unique alliance with the EU rather than full membership, following a breakdown in Canada-US trade relations.
  • Von der Leyen invited Carney to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg to discuss deepening ties across technology, defence, energy and the Arctic.
  • The proposed partnership aims to integrate defence industrial bases and establish a tech alliance without seeking to antagonise US President Donald Trump.
  • In her annual address, von der Leyen also backed calls for a pause in frontier AI development to address growing national security risks.

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