Carney Commits Canada to Becoming European Union’s First ‘Associate Member’

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The move is part of the Canadian prime minister’s effort to reduce American influence over Canada and expand trade to other parts of the world.

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday during the 21st E.U.-Canada summit in Montreal, Quebec. Credit: Pool photo by Christopher Katsarov
In the few months since Prime Minister Mark Carney made closer ties between Canada and Europe a priority as an alternative to the United States, the continent could be considered a less appealing partner.

In France, demonstrations have left thousands of buildings burned or looted and at least 1,000 police officers injured. A far-right political party that wants to rethink France’s relationship with the European Union is leading in the polls. Investors are shunning French debt as credit rating agencies sound warnings about its high level.

In Germany this month, a far-right party began overseeing a state’s legislature, a first since the Nazi era. Across much of Europe, centrist parties are losing ground to populist movements on the far right or the far left.

Despite all that, Mr. Carney appeared undeterred with his plans on Friday after hosting what was billed as a summit meeting in Montreal with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and António Costa, president of the European Council.

Mr. Carney announced that the parties would conclude talks on making Canada an “associate member” of the European Union by June 2027. More important, those negotiations will also define that affiliation, which does not currently exist within the group.

Until Friday, Mr. Carney had shied away from using “associate member” or any other name to describe closer relations with Europe.

“We are working towards the deepest possible partnership — short of accession because of our geography — with Canada becoming the European Union’s first associate member,” Mr. Carney said at a news conference after the meetings. “We’re leveraging and complementing each other’s strengths and building our resilience. Creating more choice, ensuring that we are not beholden to others. In fact, we are building a trans-Atlantic age between Canada and the European Union.” » | Ian Austen | Reporting from Montreal | Friday, October 30, 2026

Canada and EU Announce New Alliance Open to Like-minded Countries

THE GUARDIAN: Alliance for the Future, unveiled at Montreal summit and open to other countries, conceived for world ‘shaken by new storms’

Antonio Costa, the European Council president, with Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister and, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Montreal. Photograph: Graham Hughes/EPA
Canada and Europe have announced a new alliance of like-minded nations to serve as both a “protective canopy under which our citizens can thrive” and a powerful hedge against the unpredictable nature of geopolitics, while welcoming other countries to join.

Speaking to reporters on Friday from Montreal, the prime minister, Mark Carney, and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, called the new partnership the Alliance for the Future and said the “deepest possible partnership between Canada and the 27-member bloc had the potential to offer unprecedented stability and opportunity”.

“Our societies have been shaken by new storms,” Carney told reporters, referring to the damaging effects of the climate emergency but also the “erosion of democratic norms” and “the weaponization of trade”.

As they concluded their two-day summit, Canada agreed to contribute to a €90bn support loan for Ukraine. Leaders also said future discussions would lead to a more integrated market worth tens of billions of dollars, reduced trade and travel restrictions, and new educational opportunities for both sides. » | Leyland Cecco in Toronto | Friday, October 20, 2026

Hello Europe ! Goodbye Abuser!

Canada’s coming home.

Bill Clinton's Angry Reaction to Trump's Call to Make Canada USA's 51st State | Midterms | GOP

Oct 21, 2026 | Former US President Bill Clinton delivered a pointed critique of Donald Trump’s political approach, condemning what he described as a culture of fear, anger and division. Clinton criticised politicians for defining enemies instead of offering hope, and questioned the treatment of America’s allies, particularly amid concerns over Ukraine. He also challenged the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and spoke out against the denigration of Muslims and other religious communities.

« Ils se sont comportés comme l’un des pires pays au monde » : les États-Unis interdisent l’importation de plusieurs produits canadiens

LE FIGARO : Les États-Unis interdisent plusieurs produits canadiens, en particulier les alcools, dans un nouveau durcissement des tensions commerciales entre Washington et Ottawa.

Les États-Unis ont franchi mardi un nouveau palier dans leur conflit commercial avec Ottawa en fermant la porte à certains produits canadiens, en particulier des alcools. L'interdiction est entrée en vigueur mardi à 00H01 (04H01 GMT). Elle vise toutes sortes de boissons alcoolisées (bière, vin, brandy...), le lactosérum (ou « whey »), une protéine très populaire issue de la transformation du lait, ou encore les grosses motos de plus de 800 centimètres cubes - celles qui pourraient faire concurrence aux Harley-Davidson américaines. La Maison Blanche avait annoncé cette mesure le 8 septembre, après que le Canada a imposé de nouveaux droits de douane sur des produits américains, en réponse aux surtaxes mises en place par Washington à l'encontre de ses propres exportations. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mardi 29, 2026

🇨🇦 Canada - Foreign Minister Addresses United Nations General Debate, 81st Session

Sep 26, 2026 | Anita Anand, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, addresses the General Debate of the 81st Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 22 - 26 and 28 September 2026). …

America Needs a Mark Carney | Steve Schmidt

Sep 21, 2026 | Mark Carney refuses to appease Donald Trump's strong arming. With 43 days until the midterms, Steve Schmidt breaks down why it's time Democrats find their own Carney.

Mark Carney is a wonderful leader. Canadians are blessed indeed to have such a wonderful, talented, gifted and intelligent man to lead them at this perilous time. God bless Mark Carney and God bless Canada! — © Mark Alexander

Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon : Macron et Carney veulent afficher "la souveraineté des nations"

Sep 19, 2026 | Un petit archipel français isolé mais stratégique aux confins de l'Atlantique Nord : Emmanuel Macron se rend de ce samedi 19 septembre à lundi 21 septembre à Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, où il va afficher, au côté du Premier ministre Mark Carney, l'unité du Canada, de la France et des Européens et la "souveraineté des nations" face aux coups de boutoir de Donald Trump.

Click here for an English version of this video.

Hoekstra Reacts to Plan on Making Canada EU's First Associate Member

Wopke Hoekstra enlarges on the ‘Associate Member’ plan.

« Personne ne dictera au Canada avec qui il peut signer des accords » : Mark Carney, favorable au rapprochement avec l’UE, répond à Donald Trump

LE FIGARO : Sur fond de désamour avec les États-Unis, la présidente de la Commission européenne a proposé mercredi que le Canada puisse devenir le premier pays « membre associé » de l’UE, en s’adressant à Mark Carney.

Le premier ministre canadien Mark Carney a salué jeudi l’idée que son pays devienne le premier membre associé de l’Union européenne, jugeant que le Canada et l’UE étaient « plus forts ensemble ». « Le Canada accueille favorablement cette ambition, et je peux vous dire que les sondages montrent qu’une écrasante majorité de Canadiens soutient des liens beaucoup plus étroits avec l’Europe », a-t-il déclaré devant le Parlement européen à Strasbourg, où il a été longuement applaudi. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 17 September 2026

Canadians React to E.U.’s ‘Associate Member’ Offer

THE NEW YORK TIMES: While some Canadians welcomed the European Union’s offer to make their country an “associate member” of the bloc, others were skeptical about its practical significance. | By Julie Yoon | Thursday, September 17, 2026

Click here to listen to the reactions.

Von der Leyen Pitches 'Associate Member' Status for Canada: What Does It Mean for EU-US Ties?

Sep 16, 2026 | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member".Earlier this week, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney — who was in Strasbourg to listen to von der Leyen's annual State of the Union address — said Canada was seeking a "unique alliance" with the EU, but not membership. We discuss this with our guest, Gerardo Fortuna, author of Brussels Playbook.

Carney's Canada Draws Closer to European Union • FRANCE 24 English

Sep 16, 2026 | With a US president who talks of making Canada the 51st state…Its leader in Europe where it’s not quite the EU's 28th state on offer but something the president of the European Commission is calling ‘associate membership’. We’ll ask what that means, how it differs from the close status afforded to the likes of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK which Carney’s also visiting ahead of his own Strasbourg speech Thursday before the European Parliament.

What are Canada’s options? What are Europe’s options as both the US and Russia covet the Arctic? How closer can they really get when already ten EU nations - including France and Italy - have yet to ratify the CETA free trade agreement that’s provisionally in effect with Ottawa?

The French - who have their own challenges with the far-right favourite to win next May’s presidential elections - will conclude this Canadian cycle when Emmanuel Macron hosts Carney in the tiny North Atlantic overseas territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Ahead of UN week in New York, a simple question: do Europeans take on the United States head on like Canada or massage relations with the world's biggest superpower

Canada Associate EU Membership Offer ’Not A Surprise’ | Peter Conradi

Sep 16, 2026 | “My feeling is it’s fundamentally a symbolic thing.”

The associated membership to the EU offered to Canada had been “trailed in advance” but it’s “not entirely clear what it would mean”, says Europe editor for The Times Peter Conradi.

« Porter notre relation au plus haut niveau possible » : l’Union européenne propose au Canada un statut de « membre associé »

Cette image provient de cet article du Figaro. | Ursula von der Leyen, présidente de la Commission européenne, et Mark Carney, premier ministre canadien, au Parlement de Strasbourg, mercredi 16 septembre 2026. Yves Herman / REUTERS
LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - Le pays pourrait également faire partie d’un futur « conseil de sécurité européen », avec le Royaume-Uni, la Norvège et l’Ukraine, selon des annonces d’Ursula von der Leyen.

Quand Donald Trump a parlé de faire du Canada le 51e État des États-Unis, l’idée a germé que le pays pourrait devenir, plutôt, le 28e membre de l’Union européenne. Contre toute attente, elle a fait son chemin. « Nous partageons les mêmes valeurs, nous avons les mêmes priorités et nos atouts se complètent parfaitement », argumentait ce week-end son premier ministre, Mark Carney, avant une visite en Europe. Cette possibilité est même soutenue par 58 % des Canadiens, selon un sondage réalisé en mars. A priori saugrenue, la piste a été sérieusement étudiée par des juristes bruxellois, avant de conclure qu’en raison de critères géographiques immuables, le Canada ne saurait faire partie de l’Union européenne. » | Par Florentin Collomp, envoyé spécial à Strasbourg | mercredi 16 septembre 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

Ursula von der Leyen Invites Canada to Be EU's First 'Associate Member' | DW News

Sep 16, 2026 | European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has invited Canada to become "the first associate member of the European Union." She made the announcement during her State of the Union address, which was attended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The EU chief used her speech in Strasbourg to talk about other global threats, from climate change to AI, as well as growing geopolitical uncertainty.

EU Chief Says Canada Should Become First "Associate Member’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that she wants to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member. The overture comes as Trump’s tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa to seek closer economic and security ties with Europe
Listen to Ursula von der Leyen speak.
Related article and my comment here »

Canada Could Become the E.U.’s First ‘Associate Member’

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the bloc’s executive arm, has invited Ottawa closer as both sides look to navigate complicated geopolitical challenges.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday. Credit: Yves Herman/Reuters
The European Union has invited Canada to work toward becoming the bloc’s first “associate member,” a title meant to underscore Canada’s growing closeness to the 27-nation union in a world of rising geopolitical risk.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive arm, announced the plan on Wednesday during a speech in Strasbourg, France. Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, was at the event and seated directly to Ms. von der Leyen’s left as she made her address.

During the speech, Ms. von der Leyen said, “We must urgently reimagine our partnerships.” Directing her next line to Mr. Carney himself, she added, “I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union.”

The declaration was met with a standing ovation from lawmakers, and Mr. Carney and Ms. von der Leyen shook hands warmly as she made the announcement.

Ms. von der Leyen said the proposal was “not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength.” » | Jeanna Smialek and Matina Stevis-Gridneff | Reporting from Strasbourg, France | Wednesday, September 16, 2026

This is wonderful news! Canada is a wonderful country, and the European Union is a wonderful supranational union. This is the best political and economic news I have heard in a very long time. The only pity—and shame—is that my own country, the UK, stupidly voted to leave the European Union. It is to be hoped that this folly will be reversed as soon as possible.

Footnote: This development shows just how stupid and ridiculous all of Trump’s policies have been. That goes for his ‘war’ on the friendly and honourable Canadians and his ridiculous tariff obsession. Trump is a failure, and the longer it goes on, the more his failures will become evident! That goes for his disruption of international trade with tariffs, his ‘war’ on, and alienation of his closest neighbour, Canada, and his unwinnable, illegal war on Iran.

Americans would do themselves a great favour to be more careful when choosing their leaders. — © Mark Alexander

À LIRE AUSSI : Ursula von der Leyen propose de faire du Canada le « premier membre associé » de l’UE : La présidente de la Commission européenne a proposé, dans son discours au Parlement européen ce mercredi, de renforcer les liens entre l’Union européenne et le Canada en lui accordant un statut inédit. »

LESEN SIE AUCH:

Von der Leyen präsentiert EU-Pläne: Kanada soll „assoziiertes Mitglied“ werden – Nato-ähnlicher Verteidigungsmechanismus für Europa: Die EU-Kommissionspräsidentin betont außerdem, dass das EU-Handelsdefizit mit China wieder ins Gleichgewicht gebracht werden müsse, und schlägt ein Social-Media-Verbot für Kinder unter 13 Jahren vor. »

Canada Should Become an EU State in All But Name. Here’s How to Make That a Reality

THE GUARDIAN: From the UK to Japan, so many countries need to quickly be brought inside the European tent without the rigours of full membership

Screenshot taken from this Guardian op-ed. | European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and European Council president Antonio Costa in Brussels in June 2025. Photograph: Olivier Matthys/EPA
The worst conclusion to draw from Iceland’s EU referendum result last month would be that the country, apparently now on Donald Trump’s imperial map along with Canada and Greenland, wanted to distance itself from Europe. Rather, the decision to refuse the reopening of EU accession talks shows that asking voters to choose between membership of the 27-nation bloc and staying outside the club is too binary. Some countries want to be inside the European tent without necessarily becoming members. The EU needs a new status for them.

There are existing models of close cooperation. Iceland and Norway, for example, participate in much of the single market through the European Economic Area (EEA). A range of other partial, gradual or associated membership options for candidate countries is being debated.

What I am proposing is different from any of them. It is not about setting up a stepping stone to accession, nor is it primarily about access to the single market. Instead, it is about letting like-minded countries combine with the EU when geopolitical and geo-economic necessities demand it, without them having to sign up to a predetermined constitutional outcome.

The main criterion for the novel status I call “integrated partnership” would be geopolitical rather than geographical. A country would not have to aspire to EU membership to qualify. It would not even have to be situated in Europe. Iceland, the UK and Norway are obvious potential candidates, but so are Canada, Japan and South Korea. » | Fabian Zuleeg | Monday, September 14, 2026

États-Unis : polémique après le commentaire désobligeant de Pete Hegseth sur le physique d’une militaire canadienne

Cette image provient de cet article du Figaro. | Le secrétaire américain à la Défense, Pete Hegseth, prend la parole lors d’une cérémonie rendant hommage aux Marines qui ont servi à Abbey Gate, le 26 août 2026. Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS
LE FIGARO : Le ministre américain de la Défense a publié une photo d’une militaire canadienne accompagnée d’un commentaire ironique. Une moquerie que déplore le premier ministre du Canada.

Vives critiques au Canada après un post sur X du ministre américain de la Défense. Pete Hegseth a partagé, lundi, sur ses réseaux sociaux une photo d’une militaire en surpoids. « This is real » (« c’est réel »), a-t-il commenté avec ironie, accompagné d’un émoji de drapeau canadien. Un message interprété par de nombreux internautes comme une moquerie grossophobe.

Sur l’image, on voit une militaire remettre une médaille à une jeune femme au centre d’entraînement des cadets de Vernon. La publication a suscité l’indignation, notamment au sein de la Ligue des cadets de l’Armée du Canada qui soutient le programme. « Il est inacceptable de tenir des propos désobligeants à l’égard de jeunes qui s’efforcent de s’améliorer et de servir leurs communautés », a condamné l’organisation. » | Par Victorien Cosson | jeudi 3 septembre 2026