United States President Donald Trump has threatened to impose heavy tariffs on the European Union if the bloc moves ahead with a proposal to make Canada its first associate member.
Diaspora Digital Media reports that the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the proposal on Wednesday during her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, France.
Trump, reacting to the plan, warned that Washington could impose “very serious tariffs” or stop trading with Europe on several products if he considers the move hostile.
“I think it’s laughable,” Trump told reporters when asked about the proposal.
He added that if the plan was pursued with what he considered a hostile intention, the US would respond with heavy tariffs.
Von der Leyen made the proposal as Canada seeks to deepen its relationship with the EU amid worsening trade tensions with the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the European Parliament session and is expected to address lawmakers on Thursday.
EU Seeks Closer Ties With Canada
Von der Leyen said the EU and Canada should strengthen their cooperation in areas including technology, defence, energy and critical minerals.
She proposed moving beyond the existing trade relationship towards what she described as an “Alliance for the Future”.
The European Commission president said the two sides could work together on intelligent manufacturing, technology, defence industries, Arctic projects, energy, artificial intelligence, batteries, cyber security and economic security.
She also stressed that the proposed partnership was not directed against any country.
“This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength,” she said.
Von der Leyen said she wanted to “open the door” for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member.
The proposal would create a new form of relationship because EU treaties currently do not provide for an associate membership category.
Canada Pursues New Partnerships
Carney has been seeking stronger economic and strategic ties with Europe as Canada’s relationship with the United States comes under increasing pressure.
His government has also signalled plans to reduce Canada’s dependence on the US by expanding trade with other partners.
Canada and the EU already have the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which removed most tariffs between the two sides. Trade in goods has increased substantially since the agreement was implemented.
Canada has also moved closer to European defence initiatives, including becoming the first non-EU country to join a major European defence loan programme.
Carney previously described Canada’s goal as a “unique alliance” with the EU rather than full membership.
Associate Membership Raises Questions
The proposed associate membership is still at an early stage and its exact terms have not been defined.
Any formal arrangement with Canada would require the backing of EU member states, meaning von der Leyen cannot approve the proposal alone.
A similar idea was previously discussed in relation to Ukraine, although it received limited enthusiasm from some European officials.
The proposal has also raised questions about what rights and obligations an associate member would have, particularly because such a status does not currently exist under EU treaties.
Despite the uncertainty, the European Commission has confirmed that closer cooperation with Canada is one of the key proposals from von der Leyen’s 2026 State of the Union address.
Trump’s warning adds another layer to the already strained trade relationship between Washington and Brussels as Canada moves to strengthen its links with Europe.
