On Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the European Union’s goal to include Ottawa as an associate member of the 27-nation bloc, noting that Canadian legislators will ultimately decide on the alliance’s final configuration.
His remarks follow shortly after Trump called the idea of Canada joining the EU as an associate member “laughable” and warned the bloc with tariffs if he viewed the move as a “hostile act.”
Speaking to reporters, Trump called Canada a “terrible trade partner” and said the U.S. could even “stop trading with Europe on many things” if the EU moves ahead with the proposal.
“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe,” he said.
In response to the EU’s offer, Carney told EU lawmakers in his address in Strasbourg: “Canada and Europe are each strong. Europe and Canada are stronger together.”
He added, “Economic integration is now being weaponized — tariffs being used to exert pressure.”
Speaking in French, Carney said, “Financial mechanisms have been used for coercion. Supply chains constitute weak points to be exploited.”
The escalating tensions come as the Trump administration recently increased tariffs on Canadian goods, prompting Canada to respond with its own levies. Carney has pledged to impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods, dollar for dollar.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
