Mark Carney welcomes proposal for Canada to be EUs first associate member after Trump slams hostile act

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday welcomed a proposal for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member, but said he did not mean for a closer alliance to create a new bloc that would rival the world’s great powers.The remarks came after President Donald Trump suggested the proposed arrangement could be a “hostile act” and threatened heavy tariffs on Europe if he judged its intentions to be unfriendly.Trump also called the idea “laughable.”“We welcome this ambition,” Carney told the European Parliament of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal, unveiled Wednesday.Carney said plainly what he was proposing: deeper Canada-Europe integration across trade, defense, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, space, research and financial services to make both sides less vulnerable to economic and geopolitical pressure.“I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival — only with better manners,” he said.

“We do not seek power to dominate others.”Carney said the goal instead is to build Canada’s resilience so that no country can control its markets, undermine its sovereignty or dictate its choices.For generations, Canada built its economy around integration with the United States. Trump’s tariffs, demands for economic concessions and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state are now driving Ottawa to reduce that dependence and seek a deeper economic, security and political relationship across the Atlantic.Von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU’s first associate member — a status that does not currently exist in the bloc’s treaties and would have to be created.She said Europe wants to take its relationship with Canada to “the highest level possible.”Carney, sitting in the front row of the European Parliament chamber, nodded and rose to embrace von der Leyen as lawmakers gave the proposal a standing ovation.This time, Europe is offeri...