Adedokun Waliyu The European Union has opened the door to an unprecedented new relationship with Canada, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposing that the country become the bloc’s first “associate member” as Ottawa and Brussels deepen cooperation on trade, defence, technology and economic security.
Von der Leyen unveiled the proposal during her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was in attendance. EU lawmakers gave the proposal a standing ovation before von der Leyen walked across the chamber to embrace Carney.
“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen told Carney, arguing that Europe needs new partnerships as it navigates what she described as an increasingly hostile international environment.
The proposal builds on Carney’s push for what he has called a “unique alliance” with Europe as Canada seeks to diversify its economic and strategic relationships. Carney has stressed that Ottawa is not seeking full EU membership, making the proposed associate arrangement fundamentally different from the accession process followed by countries seeking to join the 27-member bloc.
Von der Leyen said closer cooperation could extend across intelligent manufacturing, artificial intelligence, technology, critical minerals, energy, defence production, supply chains and the Arctic. She said Canada and Europe share positions on several international issues, including support for Ukraine, and described the proposed partnership as strengthening their common interests rather than being directed against another country.
The initiative comes as Canada seeks to reduce its economic dependence on the United States amid worsening trade relations with President Donald Trump’s administration. Carney’s government has set a goal of doubling Canada’s non-U.S. trade over the next decade, while Ottawa and Brussels have already been expanding cooperation in trade, defence and digital security.
The proposal, however, does not mean Canada has joined the European Union. There is currently no formal “associate member” category established in EU treaties, meaning the details, rights and obligations attached to such a status remain undefined.
Any substantial arrangement would also require the involvement of EU member governments. Some European diplomats were reportedly surprised by von der Leyen’s announcement, while previous attempts to introduce flexible forms of association with the bloc have encountered resistance among member states.
Canada and the EU already have an extensive economic relationship through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, while their defence relationship has also expanded. The proposed associate arrangement could build on those existing structures rather than replicate full EU membership.
More detailed discussions are expected when Canadian and European officials meet at the Canada-EU summit in Montreal in late October. The negotiations are expected to provide the first clearer indication of what “associate membership” could mean in practice and whether all 27 EU governments are prepared to support the unprecedented arrangement.
