The European Union has opened the door for Canada to become its first associate member, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
The proposed status does not currently exist under EU treaties and would represent a new form of cooperation between the bloc and a non-member country.
Speaking during her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, von der Leyen said Europe and Canada share common interests on major global issues, including artificial intelligence, climate change, defence and the Arctic.
She invited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to work with the EU on creating the new partnership.
“Partnerships are a strategic choice for Europe,” von der Leyen said, arguing that stronger international cooperation is becoming increasingly important as the global rules-based system faces pressure.
Under the proposed arrangement, Canada and the EU could expand cooperation in areas such as manufacturing, critical minerals, energy, technology and defence.
Von der Leyen also proposed closer links between the European and Canadian defence industries and described the Arctic as an area where both sides could develop joint projects.
Carney has previously said Canada was looking for a “unique alliance” with the EU rather than seeking full EU membership. He is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday.
The proposal comes at a time of strained relations between Canada and the United States. Canada has been seeking to strengthen other international partnerships following a breakdown in trade talks with Washington and the introduction of retaliatory tariffs.
Von der Leyen stressed that closer EU-Canada cooperation was not intended to target another country, a message that could help avoid further tensions with US President Donald Trump.
The EU has traditionally been cautious about creating new membership categories. Germany proposed associate membership for Ukraine earlier this year as a possible step towards full EU membership, but the idea received a mixed response from EU countries.
Canada would therefore be entering largely uncharted territory if the proposal moves forward, potentially creating a new model for how the EU works with close partners outside the bloc.
