Canada Seeks EU Associate Status
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Mark Carney said Canada sought a "unique alliance" with the EU to become its first associate member, while EU governments gave mixed responses, ranging from openness to rebuffing it.
Dear @mark-carney.bsky.social, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.
And create a common prosperity and economic security space.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.
And create a common prosperity and economic security space.
September 16, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Dear @mark-carney.bsky.social, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.
And create a common prosperity and economic security space.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.
And create a common prosperity and economic security space.
by Nicolai von Ondarza Reposted by Catherine E. De Vries, Steve Peers, Jill Rutter
For the proposed Associate Membership of Canada remember that there is an EU-Canada summit scheduled for end of October.
This gives Carney, vdL and EU member states about six weeks to define in broad terms how such a status could look like.
This gives Carney, vdL and EU member states about six weeks to define in broad terms how such a status could look like.
But the fact that "associate membership" doesn't have precedent can play to von der Leyen's and Carney's advantage. They can develop a tailor-made concept that responds to each other's needs, falls outside the EU treaties framework and secures backing from all 27 member states.
September 16, 2026 at 1:49 PM
For the proposed Associate Membership of Canada remember that there is an EU-Canada summit scheduled for end of October.
This gives Carney, vdL and EU member states about six weeks to define in broad terms how such a status could look like.
This gives Carney, vdL and EU member states about six weeks to define in broad terms how such a status could look like.
by Anand Menon
Superb, salutary piece. Let’s not get over excited about ‘associate membership’.
"None of this means UK associate membership is now there for the taking. While the UK might resemble Canada legally, it does not do so politically."
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
Canada’s new EU association holds lessons for the UK - UK in a changing Europe
Joël Reland reflects on what it would mean in practice for Canada to become an associate member of the EU, as well as the lessons for the UK in thinking about its own future EU relationship.
ukandeu.ac.uk
September 16, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Superb, salutary piece. Let’s not get over excited about ‘associate membership’.
by Ian Bremmer
greater canada-eu partnership: aligned on security, economy, and governance.
(watch the united kingdom in this space...this is the post-brexit option pm burnham has been looking for)
(watch the united kingdom in this space...this is the post-brexit option pm burnham has been looking for)
September 16, 2026 at 3:45 PM
greater canada-eu partnership: aligned on security, economy, and governance.
(watch the united kingdom in this space...this is the post-brexit option pm burnham has been looking for)
(watch the united kingdom in this space...this is the post-brexit option pm burnham has been looking for)
18 months ago, a few of us were suggesting that Canada should join the EU - bsky.app/profile/ubis... - and even though it turned out the idea was popular in Canada - bsky.app/profile/ubis... - there was still widespread ridicule of the idea from politics experts. Now it's (sort of) happening...
#Trump is not hiding what he is trying to do to #Canada, starting with 25% tariffs. Canadians have to stop thinking about the USA as a misguided friend right now. Work with #Mexico and other American countries for sure, but also with the #EU, maybe even apply to join. This isn't a joke any more.
Every truly Canadian news outlet needs to lead with a clear, no-bullshit headline:
“Trump Threatens to Ruin and then Annex Canada”.
Will the US-owned Postmedia papers do it? No. Can we hope the rest speak clearly?
“Trump Threatens to Ruin and then Annex Canada”.
Will the US-owned Postmedia papers do it? No. Can we hope the rest speak clearly?
September 16, 2026 at 6:07 PM
18 months ago, a few of us were suggesting that Canada should join the EU - bsky.app/profile/ubis... - and even though it turned out the idea was popular in Canada - bsky.app/profile/ubis... - there was still widespread ridicule of the idea from politics experts. Now it's (sort of) happening...
Reposted by Daniel W. Drezner, Iikka Korhonen, David Darmofal
European Union’s top official said she would work to make Canada the bloc’s first associate member, a major shift indicative of the new ties traditional U.S. allies are forging with each other in the face of hostility from the Trump administration. www.wsj.com/world/europe...
EU Chief Proposes Making Canada First Associate Member
Her comments came as part of her annual State of the Union speech, in which she set out further plans to boost the bloc’s economy.
www.wsj.com
September 16, 2026 at 11:29 AM
European Union’s top official said she would work to make Canada the bloc’s first associate member, a major shift indicative of the new ties traditional U.S. allies are forging with each other in the face of hostility from the Trump administration. www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Canada = "associate Member of the EU“ ??? What the heck could this look like?
See our 2023 report on EU reform for details…:
See our 2023 report on EU reform for details…:
September 16, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Canada = "associate Member of the EU“ ??? What the heck could this look like?
See our 2023 report on EU reform for details…:
See our 2023 report on EU reform for details…:
by Steve Peers
Here's my bit from Al Jazeera just now, on the prospect of Canadian associate membership of the EU
September 16, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Here's my bit from Al Jazeera just now, on the prospect of Canadian associate membership of the EU
by Nicolai von Ondarza Reposted by Steve Peers
Von der Leyen embraces a far-reaching idea: She just announced she wants to open the door to Canada becoming the "first associate member of the European Union" (to huge applause).
September 16, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Von der Leyen embraces a far-reaching idea: She just announced she wants to open the door to Canada becoming the "first associate member of the European Union" (to huge applause).
Less 'EU wants', more Commission President 'would like to work... on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU."
Any decision on conferring such a status would rest with the member states... and almost certainly require unanimity...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
Any decision on conferring such a status would rest with the member states... and almost certainly require unanimity...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
EU wants Canada to become ‘associate member,’ von der Leyen says
European Commission president proposes a new “Alliance for the Future” to build on existing trade EU-Canada trade agreement.
www.politico.eu
September 16, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Less 'EU wants', more Commission President 'would like to work... on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU."
Any decision on conferring such a status would rest with the member states... and almost certainly require unanimity...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
Any decision on conferring such a status would rest with the member states... and almost certainly require unanimity...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
by Matthew Lebo
The new Chunnel is going to be awesome.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tells Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that she wants to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member.
September 16, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The new Chunnel is going to be awesome.
Reposted by Catherine E. De Vries, Nicolai von Ondarza
The European Commission wants Canada to be the first associate member of the EU. But what does that mean in practice? And under what treaty article could this be arranged? My piece below with thanks to @nvondarza.bsky.social and @alanherve.bsky.social for their insights borderlex.net/2026/09/16/v...
Von der Leyen dangles associate EU membership for Canada - Borderlex - European trade policy
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen wants Canada to become the first country with associate status in the European Union. Legal scholars see a possible route through a specific treaty a...
borderlex.net
September 16, 2026 at 11:39 AM
The European Commission wants Canada to be the first associate member of the EU. But what does that mean in practice? And under what treaty article could this be arranged? My piece below with thanks to @nvondarza.bsky.social and @alanherve.bsky.social for their insights borderlex.net/2026/09/16/v...
by Steve Peers
I'm due on Al-Jazeera at 4pm UK time talking about the prospect of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU
Mike Myers: Elbows Up Canada
ALT: Mike Myers: Elbows Up Canada
static.klipy.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:32 PM
I'm due on Al-Jazeera at 4pm UK time talking about the prospect of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU
Reposted by Anand Menon, Jonathan Portes
"None of this means UK associate membership is now there for the taking. While the UK might resemble Canada legally, it does not do so politically."
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
Canada’s new EU association holds lessons for the UK - UK in a changing Europe
Joël Reland reflects on what it would mean in practice for Canada to become an associate member of the EU, as well as the lessons for the UK in thinking about its own future EU relationship.
ukandeu.ac.uk
September 16, 2026 at 2:35 PM
"None of this means UK associate membership is now there for the taking. While the UK might resemble Canada legally, it does not do so politically."
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
✍️ @jreland.bsky.social reflects on the lessons that Canada’s prospective EU association holds for the UK
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/canadas-new-...
by Nicolai von Ondarza Reposted by Ben Tonra
Mark Carney certainly sounds like the most pro-European head of government at the moment:
The EU has delivered greater stability across the continent, greater mobility for its citizens, and a single market that gives Europe global economic weight.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
September 16, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Mark Carney certainly sounds like the most pro-European head of government at the moment:
It is the way of the EU to make the impossible possible. Recently (financial crisis) we saw the worst of that: banned (by the Treaty) cross-subsidisation reborn as ESM conditionality. It would be wonderful to see the best of that in Canadian association (side Treaty like ESM?).
September 16, 2026 at 4:24 PM
It is the way of the EU to make the impossible possible. Recently (financial crisis) we saw the worst of that: banned (by the Treaty) cross-subsidisation reborn as ESM conditionality. It would be wonderful to see the best of that in Canadian association (side Treaty like ESM?).
Even if this produces nothing by 2029 (and there are a bunch of reasons why that might happen) it’s a great idea and I hope that it fleshes out an associate member status that can be useful for other countries
Dear @mark-carney.bsky.social, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.
And create a common prosperity and economic security space.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.
And create a common prosperity and economic security space.
September 16, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Even if this produces nothing by 2029 (and there are a bunch of reasons why that might happen) it’s a great idea and I hope that it fleshes out an associate member status that can be useful for other countries
by Victor Asal
E.U. Offers to Make Canada ‘Associate Member’ as U.S. Ties Weaken for Both www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/w...
E.U. Offers to Make Canada ‘Associate Member’ as U.S. Ties Weaken for Both
Canada and the European Union have been confronting an increasingly challenging relationship with the United States under President Trump.
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:04 PM
E.U. Offers to Make Canada ‘Associate Member’ as U.S. Ties Weaken for Both www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/w...
can't wait for Canadians to encounter the EU institutional structures - love at first sight!
September 16, 2026 at 3:05 PM
can't wait for Canadians to encounter the EU institutional structures - love at first sight!