WASHINGTON, US — US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose heavy tariffs on the European Union or restrict trade with the bloc if he considers a proposal to make Canada an EU “associate member” a hostile act.
Trump dismissed the proposal as “laughable” and warned that Washington could take significant trade measures against Europe.
“If they do that, if I think it’s at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things,” Trump told reporters.
“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe,” he added.
EU Proposes New Relationship With Canada
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU’s first “associate member” during her State of the Union address on Wednesday.
The proposed arrangement would go beyond the existing Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and seek closer cooperation in areas including defence, technology, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and economic security.
Von der Leyen described the proposed relationship as an “Alliance for the Future”, saying the EU and Canada could build closer strategic and economic ties.
She has stressed that the proposal is intended to strengthen cooperation and is not directed against another country.
Trump Calls Proposal ‘Laughable’
Trump said the prospect of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU was “laughable” and suggested Washington would assess the intentions behind the arrangement before deciding on a response.
His comments raise the possibility of another escalation in trade tensions between the United States and its European allies.
The EU has never previously had a formal “associate membership” category, meaning the precise rights and obligations of such an arrangement with Canada have yet to be defined.
The proposal would also require further discussions among EU member states and Canada before it could become a formal relationship.
Carney Seeks Closer EU Ties
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking deeper economic and strategic ties with Europe as relations between Ottawa and Washington have become increasingly strained.
Carney has described his approach as seeking a “unique alliance” with the EU.
Before the proposal, Canada and the EU already had extensive economic cooperation through CETA. The new initiative would expand the relationship into areas such as defence industrial cooperation, critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence and other strategic sectors.
Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday, following von der Leyen’s proposal.
US-Canada Trade Tensions Escalate
The dispute comes amid deteriorating trade relations between the United States and Canada.
The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, while Ottawa has responded with tariffs of its own.
Canada has also been seeking to diversify its economic and strategic relationships as it attempts to reduce its dependence on the US market. About 70pc of Canadian exports are destined for the United States, according to recent reporting.
Carney and European leaders have consequently been discussing closer cooperation as part of a broader effort to strengthen economic and strategic ties across the Atlantic.
Europe Rejects ‘Against Anyone’ Interpretation
The European Commission has rejected the suggestion that closer ties with Canada are intended as a move against the United States.
Von der Leyen said the proposed partnership was about strengthening the EU’s own capabilities and cooperation with Canada.
“This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength,” she said.
The proposal’s details remain under discussion, and it is not yet an established form of EU membership.
Trump’s latest comments have nevertheless placed the initiative at the centre of renewed tensions over trade, alliances and the economic relationships between the US, Canada and Europe.
