EU chief opens door for Canada to become 'associate member'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a new partnership with Canada. Which would involve closer ties on various key sectors. The move comes as trade tensions between Canada and the US continue to escalate.

Von der, Leyen told. the European Parliament that she wanted to work on "opening the door" for Canada, which would involve closer ties on various key sectors. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney last week spoke of seeking a "unique alliance" with the EU.

The proposed partnership would focus on areas such as manufacturing, technology, AI, defence, energy, critical minerals, batteries, and economic security. The EU and Canada already have a free-trade agreement eliminating duties on 99% of goods exports called the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).

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Von der Leyen also proposed the formation of a European Security Council. Which would include the UK and Ukraine, amid an ongoing threat to the continent from Russia. "For a long time, we have discussed a leaders' format focused on the security of our continent," she said.

The proposal comes as EU members face trade tariffs under Trump's administration and as the bloc faces what its chief described as "an openly hostile world". Trade talks between Canada and the US fainted last month, sparking a series of new tariff measures.

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Von der, Leyen told. the EU's State of the Union address that the bloc and Canada "see the world with the same eyes", including on topics ranging from AI, to climate change and geopolitics. "And we have stood together: on Ukraine, on defence, on raw materials and on supply chains."

Carney is due to address the parliament on Thursday. The move comes as Europe faces a difficult choice to make in light of Trump's grand plan to reshape the world order.