EU president wants Canada to become bloc's first associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday that she wishes to open the door for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member."

The initiative comes as North America's Canada is currently embroiled in an ongoing trade war with the United States.

This proposed associate membership would represent a novel framework for the European Union's relations with external nations, potentially integrating Canada more closely into the bloc's economic or political structures.