With a particularly humorous social media post, the European Commission presented the new relationship between the EU and Canada as “in a relationship,” combining the European star with the Canadian maple leaf and a pink heart. “We always loved maple syrup on our pancakes,” the Commission wrote on its Facebook page, playfully referencing the new and increasingly close cooperation with Canada.
Read: Carney at the European Parliament: “Europe and Canada are stronger together”
In her annual State of the Union address on Wednesday, September 16, Ursula von der Leyen made a proposal that sparked considerable interest: opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first-ever “associated member.” The proposal envisions a new form of relationship that goes beyond the existing CETA trade agreement.
Mark Carney: The Canada-EU alliance is not aimed at confrontation or dominance over other nations
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed on Thursday (17/9) the proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for Canada to become an “associated member” of the EU, stating that “Canada and Europe are strong individually — but stronger together.”
Carney emphasized that the Canada-EU alliance would not be aimed at confrontation or dominance over other nations. “We do not seek to dominate others,” he said, adding that an alliance between Canada and the EU “would be a beacon for other democracies” — one defined not by “what we oppose, but by what we stand for: freedom, solidarity, prosperity, and sustainability.”
His remarks came just hours after Trump called the prospect of Canada becoming the EU’s first associated member “ridiculous,” warning that he could view the move as a potential “hostile act” against the United States.
