Carney Embraces EU Member Proposal     09/17 06:04

   Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday embraced the prospect of his 
country becoming the European Union's first associate member, saying closer 
ties with Europe were meant to ensure no country could control Canada's 
markets, impair its sovereignty or undermine its freedoms.

   STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday 
embraced the prospect of his country becoming the European Union's first 
associate member, saying closer ties with Europe were meant to ensure no 
country could control Canada's markets, impair its sovereignty or undermine its 
freedoms.

   The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the proposed 
arrangement could be a "hostile act" and threatened heavy tariffs on Europe if 
he judged its intentions to be unfriendly.

   In a speech that repeatedly extolled cooperation between Europe and Canada, 
Carney told the European Parliament that he welcomed European Commission 
President Ursula von der Leyen's proposal, unveiled Wednesday.

   He acknowledged that "associate membership" remains to be defined and 
outlined what he was proposing: deeper Canada-Europe integration across trade, 
defense, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, space, research 
and financial services to make both sides less vulnerable to economic and 
geopolitical pressure.

   "I am not proposing a third bloc in order to become a great-power rival -- 
only with better manners," he said. "We do not seek power to dominate others."

   Carney said the goal instead is to build Canada's resilience so that no 
country can control its markets, undermine its sovereignty or dictate its 
choices.

   The prime minister received an ebullient welcome when he walked into the 
chamber, with many lawmakers approaching him to shake his hand and ask for 
selfies -- and a standing ovation after he spoke. One parliamentarian had 
donned a Canadian hockey jersey.

   For generations, Canada built its economy around integration with the United 
States. Trump's tariffs, demands for economic concessions and repeated talk of 
making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa to reduce its dependence on the 
United States and seek a far deeper economic, security and political 
relationship with Europe.

   Europe offers Canada another path

   Von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU's first associate member -- a 
status that does not currently exist in the bloc's treaties and would have to 
be created. She said Europe wants to take its relationship with Canada to "the 
highest level possible."

   Carney, sitting in the front row of the European Parliament chamber, nodded 
and rose to embrace von der Leyen as lawmakers gave the proposal a standing 
ovation.

   Von der Leyen said Canada and the EU should move beyond their existing free 
trade agreement and create an "Alliance for the Future" encompassing a "common 
prosperity and economic security space."

   Carney will host EU leaders for a Canada-EU summit in Montreal on Oct. 
29-30, where the two sides are expected to discuss the proposed new 
relationship in more detail.

   Canada sends roughly 70% of its exports to the United States, making it 
highly exposed to Trump's tariffs. Ottawa has retaliated and rejected demands 
Carney says threaten Canadian sovereignty. Europe took a different path, 
shelving retaliation and accepting tariffs of up to 15% on most EU exports to 
the U.S.

   Carney has rallied 'middle powers'

   Carney has repeatedly urged middle powers to resist that kind of economic 
coercion. At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, he warned that when 
countries negotiate alone with a dominant power, "we negotiate from weakness. 
We accept what is offered."

   Trump rebuked him the next day.

   Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's ambassador-designate to the EU, said Wednesday 
that Canada is not seeking full EU membership because that would require 
surrendering some sovereignty. Instead, Ottawa wants "to get as close as we 
possibly can" to Europe while increasing Canada's independence.

   Exactly what associate membership would mean remains to be negotiated.

   Canada has already taken a major step. This year it became the first 
non-European country to join the EU's 150-billion-euro ($173-billion) SAFE 
defense procurement program, giving Canadian companies access to joint 
procurement as Europe increases defense spending.

   The two sides have also discussed closer cooperation on energy, critical 
minerals, artificial intelligence and digital trade.

   "The policies and rhetoric of the Trump administration are clearly pushing 
both Canada and the EU to imagine a world without strong U.S. leadership and to 
act accordingly," said Daniel Bland, a political-science professor at McGill 
University in Montreal.

   Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, said 
Carney's handling of Trump has heightened European interest in the Canadian 
leader.

   "Carney's shrewdness in dealing with Trump has captured Europe's attention," 
Wiseman said.

   Washington will be watching

   Wiseman said Europeans have long regarded Canada as a country that 
understands the United States particularly well because of their deep economic 
and political ties. Carney's willingness to resist Trump rather than quickly 
accept Washington's demands has reinforced that perception, he said.

   Bland said Carney may avoid naming Trump on Thursday while leaving little 
doubt about the target of his broader argument.

   "He knows that, beyond Europe, the world will be watching, including the 
White House," Bland said.