US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and repeated calls to make Canada the “51st state” have pushed Ottawa to seek closer economic and security ties with Europe. The shift culminated in European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposing that Canada become the European Union’s first associate member.
The proposal could expand cooperation in trade, defence, technology, energy, artificial intelligence and critical minerals. It would not make Canada a full EU member, but could create a partnership close to membership without formally joining the bloc.
