Canada backs EU plan to make it the bloc's first associate member
Canada welcomes EU proposal to become 'associate member'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told the European Parliament that Canada and Europe are "stronger together" and welcomed Ursula von der Leyen's proposal to make Canada the EU's first associate member. He pitched deeper cooperation on defence, critical minerals and energy security, while Donald Trump called the idea "laughable" and threatened heavy tariffs if he deems it hostile.
I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival - only with better manners.
- attendant3446
It's all over the news, but nobody really knows what an 'associate member' of the EU is
- triceratops
Sort of a "meta" question about these announcements.
I assume they already talk about them privately beforehand. Carney first made a speech seeking some kind of enhanced status within the EU. Then von der Leyen said basically "Yeah we'd love that". Now Carney says "Great, let's do it."
It would be embarrassing if Carney's first speech had instead been met with silence.
So how many steps ahead do they choreograph these announcements? Did Carney show a draft of his speech today to people in the EU last week? "This is where I'd like us to be at next week. What do you guys think?"
Anyone who's worked in international diplomacy or UN-type institutions that would know this? I'm just interested in the mechanics of such an announcement.
- etiennemarcel
In my opinion it’s dead on arrival. Canadians don’t want the massive immigration this will bring from sluggish European economies. Europe won’t want Canadian agricultural imports. And what is this about associate members? I thought we Europeans made a point about memberships being all or nothing from now on (Euro, regulations, etc.) Let’s bring the UK back at this rate.
- HelloUsername
Related: "EU chief opens door for Canada to become 'associate member' (bbc.com)" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49724141 863 comments
- temporallobe
My understanding is that an EU member state has to physically be in Europe unless they are an “extension” of a state already in the EU. I get that it’s supposed to be an “associate” state but I’m fascinated by what kind of legal hoops they’re going to jump through to make this happen.
They did make an exception for Cypress, so I suppose there’s some kind of precedent.
- isodev
Good. The EU is an economic and political union so facilitating trade and movement between political allies seems only natural.
- yubblegum
This is a fascinatingly nuanced move by EU and Canada. Now we wait to see how US and UK react.
From a geopolitical perspective this the official signal from Europe that they no longer buy the trope of 'Trump the loose canon' and now (finally) understand US intentions in securing the entirety of the Americas hemisphere [N. pole to S. pole, including Greenland].
The Canadian PM's speech was apparently rousing to the most delegates and (France24 hopefully reported) "most dismissed Trump's threats of cutting off all trade".
- _ink_
Man, I'd love if Canada became part of Schengen and had freedom of movement for workers as well.
- philippemnoel
As a Canadian, I find this unbelievably good news. Canada, the EU, and other middle powers need to unite. Stronger together, while preserving what makes each country unique.
- mattz56
That's unbelievable to be honest ! As european who live in Canada i have a weird feeling