Speaking on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during her annual State of the European Union address: “I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada being the first associate member of the EU.”
Trump’s tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Canada to seek closer economic and security ties with Europe.
Carney has called for a “unique alliance” with the EU as Canada seeks to reduce its heavy dependence on U.S. trade.
Von der Leyen said Canada and the EU would build on their existing free trade agreement, known as CETA, with a broader “Alliance for the Future” aimed at creating “a common prosperity and economic security space.”
Canada has retaliated against U.S. tariffs and rejected trade terms Carney says would weaken its sovereignty.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
