European Union opens door for Canada to become first associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's announcement is a significant shift in EU policy. Canada is seeking closer ties with EU after a breakdown in relations with the US and its president Donald Trump. The status announced by von der Leyen during the State of the Union is an entirely new one, with details yet to be made clear.

The European Commission’s President also proposed a new alliance with Ottawa covering tech, critical raw materials, energy and defence. Commission president says partnership will create ‘common prosperity’ based on shared democratic valuesEurope live – latest updatesThe European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, told the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, on Wednesday that she wants to open the door for his country to become the EU’s first associate member.The overture comes as Trump’s tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa to seek closer economic and security ties with Europe. Carney has called for a “unique alliance” with the EU as Canada seeks to reduce its heavy dependence on US trade.