EU Opens Door for Canada as First Associate Member

Leyen made the announcement during her State of the Union address in Strasbourg

The European Union has opened the possibility of making Canada its first “associate member,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her State of the Union address in Strasbourg on September 16. The proposed status is not currently defined in EU treaties and would represent a new form of cooperation between the bloc and a non-member country.

Von der Leyen said the EU and Canada could deepen cooperation across artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy, manufacturing, defence and Arctic affairs, describing the relationship as a strategic partnership amid changes in the international order.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has similarly called for a “unique alliance” with Europe, rather than full EU membership, as Canada seeks to diversify its international partnerships amid worsening trade tensions with the United States.