President Donald Trump has warned the European Union against moving too close to Canada through a proposed associate membership arrangement.
Trump said Europe could face major trade penalties if he considers the plan hostile to the United States.
Speaking to reporters, the US president dismissed the proposal as “laughable.”
However, he left the door open to a different response if the initiative was intended to strengthen relations rather than target Washington.
“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine,” Trump said.
Carney Pushes for Stronger Partnership
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been seeking a stronger relationship with the European Union.
The proposed associate status could provide Canada with closer links to the bloc without making it a full EU member.
Carney is expected to address the European Parliament as the discussions continue.
No Existing EU Associate Membership
The proposed arrangement would be new for the European Union.
The bloc has never had an associate member.
More importantly, all 27 EU member states would have to approve any agreement creating such a status.
That requirement could make negotiations complicated.
Some EU Countries Have Reservations
There are already concerns within the bloc about creating special membership arrangements.
A similar proposal for Ukraine was rejected by EU countries in May after Germany backed the idea.
Critics of special arrangements argue that countries seeking full EU membership, including North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, have spent years waiting for progress.
Trump’s Tariff Warning
Trump’s comments come amid an ongoing trade dispute involving the United States and Canada.
Washington recently raised tariffs on Canadian goods.
Ottawa responded with retaliatory measures.
The possibility of closer EU-Canada ties could therefore add another point of tension between Washington and Brussels.
For the proposal to move forward, EU governments would first have to agree on what associate membership would mean and whether Canada should receive that status.
