Trump suggests EU allowing Canada as associate member could be a ‘hostile act’ and threatens more tariffs

US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to cut trade with the European Union after the bloc proposed to make Canada its first-ever associate member. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect a day before Canadian leader Mark Carney was due to address the European Parliament. Her pitch comes as both Canada and the European Union seek to pivot away from an aggressive US under Trump’s leadership.

“I think it’s laughable,” Trump told reporters when asked about the plan. Trump also called Canada a "terrible trade partner" after further escalating the trade war with America's northern neighbour earlier on Wednesday. CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — President Donald Trump suggested that the European Union allowing Canada to become an associate member could be a “hostile act” and threatened to respond to the proposed move by imposing more tariffs on the bloc.

Trump conditioned his threat Wednesday on the “intention” of European leaders, saying that, “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.” He also suggested the U.S. could cut off trade with Europe in certain areas.

Trump called the prospect of Canada joining the EU “laughable” and called America’s neighbor a “terrible trade partner.” Source STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Trump suggests EU allowing Canada as associate member could be a ‘hostile act’ and threatens more tariffs.