EU's von der Leyen proposes Canada as first associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening a path for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member. She made the announcement Wednesday during her State of the European Union address. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney received a standing ovation from European lawmakers. Trump’s tariffs and talk of making Canada the 51st state have pushed Ottawa closer to Europe.

Von der Leyen says Canada and the EU would build on their existing free trade agreement with a broader “Alliance for the Future.” She cast the closer relationship as rooted not just in trade but in shared democratic values.

Read the original report at Apnews.