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Thu, 17 Sep 2026

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 Warm words on Canada's EU 'associate membership' but no guarantees

There is no certainty that the idea will ever get off the ground, let alone become a blueprint for other countries, writes the BBC's Katya Adler.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has proposed that Canada join the EU as an associate member, sparking confusion and interest in Europe. However, this move is possible only because the EU constitution allows for it. In a speech to the European Parliament, Carney emphasized that associate membership would not create a third superpower or lead to a bloc against other countries. Instead, he suggested that like-minded nations should join forces to create a new form of multilateral global governance in an increasingly turbulent world. The idea is seen as a response to Canada's current trade and security concerns with the US, which has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and withdrawn support for key defense agreements. The EU also faces pressure from its own nationalist politicians who promote isolationism and self-reliance. While some European countries, including Germany, have shown interest in exploring associate membership for other countries like Ukraine, others are skeptical about creating a precedent that could lead to "too good" deals for non-members. Donald Trump has dismissed the proposal as a potential "hostile act", threatening to impose tariffs if it comes to fruition. However, some experts see the US president's reaction as an unintended catalyst for this EU-Canada love-in. The idea of associate membership is still in its infancy and faces numerous challenges, including lengthy negotiations, potential conflicts of interest, and approval from all 27 EU countries. Nevertheless, it has sparked a new debate about the future of global governance and the need for like-minded nations to work together in an increasingly uncertain world.