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EU proposes Canada associate membership

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European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU's first associate member, a suggestion Canada's prime minister endorsed, though the EU lacked a legal framework.

The Guardian
The EU’s Canada offer is more mood than reality but it could hint at a future geometry for the bloc

While Brussels and Ottawa desire a deeper partnership born of Trump-era volatility, ​the EU has no legal framework to accommodate it Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here The EU and Canada, Ursula von der Leyen said last week, “see the world with the same eyes”, with shared stances on everything from AI to the climate crisis, the Ukraine war and the unholy chaos unleashed by the current occupant of the White House (OK, she didn’t actually say that last bit. But I like to think she almost certainly thought it. ) So, the European Commission president went on, Canada should become “the first associate member of the EU”. In the audience, Mark Carney beamed with delight. The next day, Canada’s prime minister enthusiastically embraced the idea of an “alliance for the future”, to build “collective resilience” through “deep cooperation”. Continue reading. . .

The EU’s Canada offer is more mood than reality but it could hint at a future geometry for the bloc
Reposts 0 6h

by Stephen D. Williamson

17%
1954swilliamson.bsky.social
1/This piece isn't bad, but sometimes misses the point. Yes, Canada is tied to the US, more than any country in the world (except Mexico, which is roughly in the same boat). And being closely tied to a country going down the toilet - trust me - is not a good thing. But Carney is inspirational...
financialtimes.com Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 8h
The Canadian prime minister, rapturously received by the European parliament in Strasbourg last week, called for an alliance with the EU to serve as 'a beacon for other democracies' — in vivid contrast with his talk the month before of being 'at war' with the US ft.trib.al/RO2G42n
Mark Carney
September 23, 2026 at 1:05 PM

Reposted by Stephen D. Williamson

5%
financialtimes.com
The Canadian prime minister, rapturously received by the European parliament in Strasbourg last week, called for an alliance with the EU to serve as 'a beacon for other democracies' — in vivid contrast with his talk the month before of being 'at war' with the US ft.trib.al/RO2G42n
Mark Carney
September 23, 2026 at 12:30 PM

by Samantha Brennan

37%
samanthabrennan.bsky.social
What Canada could gain from joining the EU’s Erasmus+ program, and what’s unresolved

theconversation.com/what-canada-...
What Canada could gain from joining the EU’s Erasmus+ program, and what’s unresolved
As Mark Carney raises the possibility of Canada joining the European Union’s Erasmus+ education program, it’s important to figure out what form Canadian participation would take.
theconversation.com
September 23, 2026 at 12:18 PM

by Simon Usherwood

52%
simonusherwood.bsky.social
Literally no developments to report here

www.thetimes.com/article/06fa...
Andy Burnham hopes to clinch EU reset deal by end of the year
The prime minister met the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, while in New York, where the Made in Europe rules were expected to be discussed
www.thetimes.com
September 23, 2026 at 5:27 AM

by Ben Tonra

63%
bentonra.bsky.social
My take on Canada, Ireland and EU ‘Associate Membership’

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Canada is knocking on Europe's door — Ireland should answer
Both Canada and Europe know the risks of economic and security dependence upon the United States
www.irishexaminer.com
September 22, 2026 at 8:47 PM

by Christian Odendahl Reposted by Henry Farrell

45%
codendahl.bsky.social
This here, by @himself.bsky.social, is very good on the EU and Canada. www.programmablemutter.com/p/canada-is-...
Canada is cosying up to Europe
What can they give each other?
www.programmablemutter.com
September 22, 2026 at 6:02 PM

by Christian Odendahl Reposted by Iikka Korhonen

29%
codendahl.bsky.social
These countries have not yet (?) ratified the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, better known as #CETA.
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September 22, 2026 at 5:54 PM
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