Trump threatens EU with tariffs over proposed Canada associate membership
The US president warned of “very serious” tariffs or reduced trade if the bloc advances Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal, which has no formal agreement or timetable.
US President Donald Trump has threatened steep tariffs or reduced trade with the European Union if it proceeds with a proposal to give Canada associate-member status, calling the plan “laughable” and potentially a “hostile act”.
Trump said he could impose “very serious” or “very heavy” tariffs, or stop trading with Europe on many goods, depending on whether he judged the proposal to be hostile. No such measures were announced as enacted.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the arrangement during her State of the Union speech on 16 September. The proposal would not make Canada a full EU member, and no formal agreement or timetable has been disclosed.
The plan comes as Canada seeks closer ties with the EU while relations with Washington have deteriorated. Trump has already imposed tariffs affecting tens of billions of dollars in cross-border US-Canada trade, according to France 24 International.
An EU diplomat said the meaning and feasibility of associate membership remained unclear, raising concerns that the European Commission could be promising more than it could deliver. French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad said the United States had no power to veto the EU’s geopolitical choices.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was due to address the European Parliament on 17 September. The proposal is being considered as the EU faces security pressure from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and continuing trade tensions involving the United States and China.
