Carney and a top EU official push for Canada to become an EU 'associate member' to counter Trump's threats

Canada and the EU are negotiating a new "associate membership" framework that would give Ottawa privileged access to European defence, trade and technology structures without full EU membership — a direct response to President Trump's annexation rhetoric and tariff threats against Canada. European Council President the European Council President backed the proposal alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney at a summit in Ottawa on Thursday. Canada had previously floated the idea of full EU membership before officials on both sides called it impractical.

The 'associate member' plan proved divisive before talks even began, with critics inside Canada dismissing full membership as 'laughable'.

Carney is framing the EU partnership as part of a wider Western alliance to resist economic coercion from Washington.

The summit marks a sharp pivot in Canadian foreign policy, as Trump's tariff pressure drives Ottawa to deepen ties with Brussels rather than Washington.