WASHINGTON — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the group’s first-ever associate member as a trade fight deepens between President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada being the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen told Carney during her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg
Carney, who was attending the European Parliament event, nodded and rose to hug and kiss von der Leyen’s cheeks.
The prime minister is scheduled to address the parliament on Thursday — after staring down Trump’s attempts to broker a more favorable trade agreement through use of tariffs.
It’s unclear what exactly associate membership would entail for the union, which was formed to reduce barriers to trade and immigration.
Trump last week announced a ban on most Canadian alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles — citing provincial bans or boycotts on US alcohol that began last year.
Carney, who walked away from trade talks on Aug. 21, last week slapped a 50% tariff on American clothing, cheese, metals and wood — as payback for a similar US tariff on Canadian items announced last month.
Trump also has threatened to hike tariffs to 50% on all vehicles and automotive parts effective Jan. 1, in addition to the same rate on steel coming from Canada.
