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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.
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