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Carney vows to seal talks making Canada the EU's first 'associate member' by June 2027 despite Trump's tariff threats

Carney vows to seal talks making Canada the EU's first 'associate member' by June 2027 despite Trump's tariff threats

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney launched an 'Alliance for the Future' with the EU at a two-day Montreal summit on Friday, committing Canada to becoming the bloc's first ever 'associate member' — a designation with no precedent in EU treaties. Cabinet ministers and European commissioners will meet in March to advance talks, with Carney attending European Council meetings in June to conclude negotiations, ahead of a full definition of the arrangement at a 2027 summit.

Trump called the idea 'laughable' last month and threatened 'very serious tariffs' on Europe if he judged the move hostile.

Canada also agreed at the summit to contribute to a €90bn support loan for Ukraine and to pursue a more integrated market with the EU worth tens of billions.

The joint declaration issued after the summit quietly dropped the 'associate member' label, leaving critics to question what the deal actually means in practice.

MoreThe IndependentCanada and EU announce new alliance in response to hostility from TrumpThe Guardian‘Deepest possible partnership’: Canada and EU announce new allianceNewsweekMark Carney Sets Fresh Target for Canada-EU Partnership After Trump ThreatsToronto SunCanada-EU pact remains long on promises, short on answersReutersCarney says EU and Canada will define 'deepest possible partnership' by mid-2027APCanada and EU seek closer ties beyond US as leaders push associate membershipThe HeraldCarney hopes Canada will become EU ‘associate member’ by June next yearThe HeraldCanada targets EU ‘associate member’ status as summit draws to a closeNYT WorldCarney Commits Canada to Becoming European Union’s First ‘Associate Member’
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