President Donald Trump is not a fan of Canada becoming an associate member of the European Union. Not even a little. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he called the idea "laughable" and warned that if he senses any "bad intention" behind the move, the U.S. could slap severe tariffs on Europe or stop trading with it on multiple fronts.
"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 said.
He doubled down: "If Europe does that with a bad intention – if it's a good intention that's fine – if it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe."
Trump also labeled Canada a "terrible trade partner" during the same exchange.
EU, Canada Eye Broader Partnership
The remarks came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday she wants to open the door for Canada as the bloc's first "associate member." The discussions go well beyond tariffs, covering advanced manufacturing, AI, batteries, energy, critical minerals, Arctic projects and defense-industry integration.
Von der Leyen pitched an "Alliance for the Future" built on shared prosperity and economic security, grounded in common democratic values rather than opposition to the U.S. "This is a partnership not against anyone else," she said.
It's worth noting the EU has historically been reluctant to embrace flexible alliances without a clear legal framework, and any Canadian associate membership would need approval from EU member states.
Canada Looks Beyond US Trade
Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney clarified that Canada isn't seeking EU membership but rather a "unique alliance" with the bloc based on shared values, priorities and complementary strengths. Carney is set to speak before the European Parliament on Thursday.
As trade tensions with the U.S. intensify, Canada is accelerating efforts to diversify its trade partnerships and tap alternative markets. The breakdown of U.S.-Canada trade talks has further deepened a tariff dispute affecting billions of dollars in cross-border commerce.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by MarketDash editors.
