Canada welcomes EU proposal to become 'associate member' - BBC News                            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwly7vkke4jxo)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwly7vkke4jxo)  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwly7vkke4jxo)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwly7vkke4jxo)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-36.413a37b227.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-48.010dc96bcf.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-57.1fcd0dc805.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-60.52f68a148f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-72.f155fdb25f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-76.cb5ee392d4.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-96.35ee2d1e20.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-114.7ccdf53cba.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-120.73e20442a9.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-128.060d346f09.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-144.e08bc23631.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-152.4de1981be0.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-180.1a18cb7b72.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-192.3ac042fa43.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-384.728e3a03d3.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-512.685da29e9e.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-16.8a240ceacc.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-32.5cf4e6db02.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/manifest.11b0cb15658c4719a2c19e25644577223adaa7b2.json)   (https://www.bbc.com)   BBC Homepage    (cwly7vkke4jxo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#main-heading) Skip to content  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/) Accessibility Help          (https://account.bbc.com/account?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcwly7vkke4jxo)    Your account       (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (cwly7vkke4jxo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)    More menu     (cwly7vkke4jxo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)   More menu    (https://www.bbc.com/search?d=NEWS_GNL)    Search BBC      (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (cwly7vkke4jxo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#more-menu-button)   Close menu          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news)   BBC News      (cwly7vkke4jxo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-menu)    Menu  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news) Home   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmj34zmwm1zt) Climate   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada) US & Canada   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk) UK   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business) Business   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology) Tech   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment) Science   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment_and_arts) Entertainment & Arts   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health) Health     (cwly7vkke4jxo@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-more-menu)    More     (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in_pictures) In Pictures   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify) BBC Verify   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat) Newsbeat         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada) US & Canada           Canada welcomes EU proposal to become 'associate member'          To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played       Figure caption,  Carney: Canada welcomes EU ambition for it to become 'associate member'       By Jessica Rawnsley     Published 17 September 2026           Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed the European Union's ambition for Canada to become its first "associate member", calling for closer cooperation on defence, critical minerals and energy security.  Carney told the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday that Canada and Europe were "stronger together" in the face of "geopolitical rupture".  His comments came a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed "opening the door" to Canada's associate membership, a status that does not currently exist. US President Donald Trump earlier called the idea "laughable" and threatened "very serious tariffs" on Europe if he considered it a "hostile act".           To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played       Figure caption,  Watch: 'A better opportunity' - Canadians on a closer alliance with Europe       Canada and the US are locked in an escalating trade dispute, with each side (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2z4dv6vn2o) imposing tit-for-tat tariffs after bilateral talks collapsed last month. "Today our societies are being battered by new storms," Carney said during his address, naming them as climate change, "the erosion of democratic norms" and the "weaponisation of trade". "Economic integration is now being weaponised, tariffs being used to exert pressure," he said. "Financial mechanisms have been used for coercion. Supply chains constitute weak points to be exploited." He said a Canada-EU alliance would create a "beacon for other democracies", while stressing the two sides were not seeking to form a new power bloc. "I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival - only with better manners," he told MEPs. "This is about sovereignty, our ability to live as we wish. We do not seek power to dominate others." Asked about the proposal on Wednesday, Trump told reporters: "If I think it's at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe, on many things. "If it's a good intention, that's fine. If it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe, which is a possibility."  Responding to Trump's comments at a press conference following his address, Carney said: "This alliance is a positive process, that's my response to the American president." "Canadians are united that nobody is going to tell us what language we speak, no-one is going to dictate our culture, or with whom we can strike agreements internationally," he added. Carney said Canada was "not in a position, nor seeking, to become a full member of the European Union", describing the proposal as a "different framework".     (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8vgy3pq5ywyo) What could EU associate member status mean for Canada?       Published 9 hours ago         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck0e3rnxev27o) Carney's new love-in with EU has everything to do with Trump       Published 1 day ago         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwyzrr9d3dko) EU chief backs plan for Canada to become 'associate member'       Published 1 day ago             Speaking at the European Parliament on Wednesday, von der Leyen said she wanted (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwyzrr9d3dko) Canada to become the EU's first associate member , with closer cooperation in areas such as manufacturing, technology, defence, energy critical minerals and economic security. It is unclear exactly what that relationship would look like because the "associate member" status does not currently exist within the EU and could take years to implement. Any new arrangement would require the agreement of all 27 EU member states, with some governments having previously expressed reservations about creating a new form of membership.  The EU and Canada already have a free-trade agreement, and cooperate in areas including trade, defence and research. In his address, Carney said Canada and Europe could strengthen their "strategic autonomy" through "deep co-operation in the full range of strategic capabilities, including critical minerals". He said Canada could supply liquefied natural gas and hydrogen to support European energy security, while benefiting from Europe's expertise in clean-energy technologies. He also proposed pooling technological resources and deepening "people to people ties", including allowing young people to "work, study and live where they want on either side of the Atlantic" through Canada joining the EU's Erasmus+ programme. Carney described the proposed relationship as "a unique, positive approach that we will define together". He added that there would be a debate and a vote in the Canadian parliament on the proposals, but emphasised the two sides were still at the "start of a road". A Canada-EU summit is due to take place in Montreal at the end of October, where Carney said they would "drill down the details".     Related topics  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cywd23g0q41t) Canada  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cw506d1n5m1t) Mark Carney  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cp7r8vgl2lgt) Donald Trump  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cx1m7zg01xyt) United States        More on this story (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4jq50eew0o) Carney eyes 'unique alliance' with EU as trade war with US intensifies     Published 3 days ago          (Mark Carney at the Toronto International Film Festival)          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx272np7vgyo) Trump says Canada wants 'benefits' of being US state after trade talks collapse     Published 23 August          (US President Donald Trump standing on a stage dressed in a navy suit and red tie clapping to an audience not in view.)          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8jnwnw22ngo) Many Canadians are boycotting the US, so this is where they're travelling instead     Published 15 August          (A selfie taken by Nick Smith showing him wearing a yellow jacket and a beige undershirt, and a beige hat with sunglasses sitting on top of his head, his arm around his wife, who is smiling and has an updo and is wearing dangling earrings. Behind them is the sun setting over the Moroccan desert.)                (vertical video collection) The video playlist   Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC      Previous     Next         1:08 Royal row intensifies after fresh claims in Diana's brother book. 00:01:08, play video Royal row intensifies after fresh claims in Diana's brother book    (Diana, The Princess of Wales, wearing a long dinner dress in silk crepe)           1:03 Family blame Met for suicide of suspect in 'Putney Pusher' case. 00:01:03, play video Family blame Met for suicide of suspect in 'Putney Pusher' case    (Man in a grey t shirt and shorts jogging)           0:56 Nato chief: 'Let's not be naive about what Putin could do' 00:00:56, play video Nato chief: 'Let's not be naive about what Putin could do'    (Mark Rutte wearing a suit, sat during an interview)           0:37 Why is the Canadian PM an Everton fan? 00:00:37, play video Why is the Canadian PM an Everton fan?    (Mark Carney and Andy Burnham in Everton scarves at game)           0:45 Inside the 'scariest house on Rightmove' 00:00:45, play video Inside the 'scariest house on Rightmove'    (Inside a room of a house left in disrepair with a doll in the corner.)           0:56 Who is Earl Spencer, the man making claims against King Charles? 00:00:56, play video Who is Earl Spencer, the man making claims against King Charles?    (Earl Spencer walking, wearing a navy suit and a purple tie.)           1:04 'I went missing for six years, now I've got a job' 00:01:04, play video 'I went missing for six years, now I've got a job'    (Alex Batty has short brown hair and is wearing glasses, and an orange high vis jacket.)           0:59 You'll have to pay for Mount Fuji off-season helicopter rescues. 00:00:59, play video You'll have to pay for Mount Fuji off-season helicopter rescues    (A person stands in front of Mount Fuji)           1:04 River with 500 crocodiles chosen as Olympic rowing venue. 00:01:04, play video River with 500 crocodiles chosen as Olympic rowing venue    (Image of a large corcodile with it's mouth open.)           0:21 Snapchat 'willing to implement' time limits for teens, boss tells BBC. 00:00:21, play video Snapchat 'willing to implement' time limits for teens, boss tells BBC    (Yellow and wile Snapchat logo on phone screen. With a computer keyboard behind the phone.)           1:13 Why caffeine makes some people buzz. 00:01:13, play video Why caffeine makes some people buzz    (A man holding a cup of coffee - his torso and lower half of his face are out of focus, showing him wearing a grey hooded top and jacket, with his hand in the foreground holding the coffee)           0:42 Is damage to US bases being hidden from the American public? 00:00:42, play video Is damage to US bases being hidden from the American public?    (The aftermath of an explosion on a three storey building.)           0:49 How 'awkward' networking can get you a job. 00:00:49, play video How 'awkward' networking can get you a job    (A woman stands in the street, wearing a sleeveless leopard-print top, speaking into a microphone.)           0:32 Will the UK see a 'weather whiplash' this Autumn? 00:00:32, play video Will the UK see a 'weather whiplash' this Autumn?    (A row of crops in a field, under a blue sky with approaching dark clouds.)           0:43 After school snack – Cinnamon swirl banana bread bars. 00:00:43, play video After school snack – Cinnamon swirl banana bread bars    (Two hands a hold a portion of a cinnamon swirl banana bread bar, over a baking tray of the finished bars.)           1:23 Singapore auctions luxury goods from £2bn money laundering case. 00:01:23, play video Singapore auctions luxury goods from £2bn money laundering case    (A Chanel handbag)           1:21 Is the increase in the state pension fair? 00:01:21, play video Is the increase in the state pension fair?    (A woman with short hair wearing a brown jacket and a black and white scarf sits on a train platform with a cup of coffee)           0:38 Are we getting teasers for the GTA VI soundtrack? 00:00:38, play video Are we getting teasers for the GTA VI soundtrack?    (Computer-generated image of a woman wearing sunglasses with her arms crossed on the edge of a pool.)           1:13 Should you care about oil and gas getting more expensive? 00:01:13, play video Should you care about oil and gas getting more expensive?    (An employee inspects pipes containing crude and refined oil.)           1:15 'I owe £70k repayments on £42k student loan' 00:01:15, play video 'I owe £70k repayments on £42k student loan'    (A woman with long blonde hair wearing a black jumper looks at the camera)               Top stories (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9e8e21x3vp4o) Human remains identified as mum missing since 2019     Published 10 hours ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqkg083ve78ro) Charles 'sounded giddily elated' after Diana died, Earl Spencer claims     Published 22 minutes ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmn0jke547r5o) War may be coming. Are we psychologically ready?     Published 1 hour ago                More to explore (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvj64w204y58o) Why we bought our first home with a 100% mortgage - despite the risks      (Conroy and his partner Amber dressed elegantly. He is wearing a suit with a bow tie, she is wearing a bright yellow dress.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmgrvdyxwz0go) Weekly quiz: Why did women's sports stars criticise actress Sydney Sweeney?      (A young woman with long blonde hair wearing a white dress smiles at the camera)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3x2zrn01pxko) Why US plan to sell F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia is controversial      (President Donald Trump (R) meets with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgjnz7md4lo) Learner drivers turn to YouTube and TikTok to cut costs - but instructors warn of risks      (Megan sits in her car. she is smiling at the camera and has reddish to brown hair cut at her shoulders. She is wearing a blue jumper with a dragonfly on.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cmed7zvnq8pdo)    Royal row intensifies after fresh claims in Diana's brother book. Video Royal row intensifies after fresh claims in Diana's brother book           (Earl Spencer split screen with BBC reporter Helena Wilkinson.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq804jkle8j3o) The big questions for Tuchel's first England squad since World Cup      (Thomas Tuchel smiles at the camera)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c68xkypqyxw7o) This Olympic river has 500 crocodiles in it - but that's not the main concern      (A rowing boat with rowers wearing white and blue row down a wide river with mist rising from the water.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx980qj57r89o) Canadians welcome closer ties with Europe as tensions simmer with US      (Miriam Levin-Gold holds a microphone)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c6wyz8qg0g58o)    'I can get more time': Breast cancer patient finds out she can get life extending drug. Video 'I can get more time': Breast cancer patient finds out she can get life extending drug           (Kate Wills takes a selfie on a beach at sunset)             Elsewhere on the BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00303gv?at_mid=Yx8giOpeie&at_campaign=Colin_from_Accounts_S3&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=p0f255x9&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Colin_from_Accounts_S3&at_bbc_team=BBC) The warm-hearted Aussie rom-com audiences are loving        (Colin from Accounts)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct9bcc?at_mid=4e96ZyBas0&at_campaign=Good_Bad_Billionaire_Lord_Sugar&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p0g7xj36&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Good_Bad_Billionaire_Lord_Sugar&at_bbc_team=BBC) Lord Sugar: From car aerials to a business empire        (Good Bad Billionaire: Lord Sugar)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00303hs?at_mid=DaZa5S7gna&at_campaign=Hey_Beautiful_Anatomy_of_a_Romance_Scam&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m00303hq&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Hey_Beautiful_Anatomy_of_a_Romance_Scam&at_bbc_team=BBC) Victims unite to hunt down a conman who stole their hearts and money        (Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of the Romance Scam)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030v8b?at_mid=WcwzEeGqVW&at_campaign=Tracks_of_My_Years_Chaka_Khan&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=m0001ylx&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_bbc_team=BBC&at_creation=Tracks_of_My_Years_Chaka_Khan) Radio 2 in the Park headliner Chaka Khan shares her favourite tracks        (Tracks of My Years: Chaka Khan)            Most read 1 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw4gq87ed6n3o) Badenoch says she is bringing in lawyers to challenge government after Tory-run council's 94% tax hike       2 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmn0jke547r5o) War may be coming. Are we psychologically ready?       3 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9e8e21x3vp4o) Human remains identified as mum missing since 2019       4 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6x2zgv9rr4ro) New wild cat species discovered - with only one known living member       5 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6wyz87j9ge4o) 'Giddy King' and 'war of words' over Earl Spencer book       6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqkg083ve78ro) Charles 'sounded giddily elated' after Diana died, Earl Spencer claims       7 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckr50lrz5e6zo) Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin Laden       8 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck0e35qyqlx0o) Hyrox athlete apologises for continuing race after soiling herself       9 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmkg71ygwny7o) Father's tribute to 'sweetest little boy' Noah       10 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm9w4n5nverdo) UN experts say grounds to believe US committed war crimes in Iran strikes               BBC News Services  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628994)    On your mobile  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/help-50068132)    On smart speakers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628323)    Get news alerts  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/20039682)    Contact BBC News     (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms) Terms of Use  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc) About the BBC  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/privacy) Privacy Policy  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies) Cookies  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility) Accessibility Help  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/guidance) Parental Guidance  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact) Contact the BBC  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers) Careers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnewsletter) BBC emails for you  (https://www.bbc.com/advertisingcontact/) Advertise with us    Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/links-and-feeds) Read about our approach to external linking.         ()