{"id":1097,"date":"2026-09-17T19:00:59","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T11:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/17\/carney-embraces-a-proposal-for-canada-to-become-the-european-unions-first-associate-member\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T19:00:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T11:00:59","slug":"carney-embraces-a-proposal-for-canada-to-become-the-european-unions-first-associate-member","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/17\/carney-embraces-a-proposal-for-canada-to-become-the-european-unions-first-associate-member\/","title":{"rendered":"Carney embraces a proposal for Canada to become the European Union\u2019s first associate member"},"content":{"rendered":"
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STRASBOURG, France (AP) \u2014 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday embraced the prospect of his country becoming the European Union’s first associate member, saying closer ties with Europe were meant to ensure no country could control Canada’s markets, impair its sovereignty or undermine its freedoms. <\/p>\n

The remarks came after U.S. 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. <\/p>\n

In a speech that repeatedly extolled cooperation between Europe and Canada, Carney told the European Parliament that he welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal, unveiled Wednesday. <\/p>\n

He acknowledged that “associate membership” remains to be defined and outlined 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. <\/p>\n

“I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival \u2014 only with better manners,” he said. “We do not seek power to dominate others.” <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

The prime minister received an ebullient welcome when he walked into the chamber, with many lawmakers approaching him to shake his hand and ask for selfies \u2014 and a standing ovation after he spoke. One parliamentarian had donned a Canadian hockey jersey. <\/p>\n

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 have pushed Ottawa to reduce its dependence on the United States and seek a far deeper economic, security and political relationship with Europe. <\/p>\n

Europe offers Canada another path <\/p>\n

Von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU’s first associate member \u2014 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.” <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Von der Leyen said Canada and the EU should move beyond their existing free trade agreement and create an “Alliance for the Future” encompassing a “common prosperity and economic security space.” <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n