Trump threatens tougher trade measures if Canada gains associate EU status

12:43

By: Azzat Manal

Trump threatens tougher trade measures if Canada gains associate EU status

US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could impose significantly higher tariffs on European goods, or even suspend trade in certain sectors, if Canada moves toward becoming an associate member of the European Union.

Speaking to reporters in North Carolina on Wednesday, Trump said the United States would respond harshly if the European Union's move to deepen its relationship with Canada were considered hostile. He indicated that the level of any potential trade measures would depend on how Washington interpreted the initiative.

The remarks came after reports that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been exploring closer institutional and economic ties with the European Union. Rather than seeking full EU membership, Ottawa is reportedly considering a new form of partnership that could give Canada access to some of the bloc's economic and political mechanisms without becoming a member state.

Carney said earlier this week that Canada was preparing to open discussions with Brussels on what he described as a distinctive alliance. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen subsequently said the EU was prepared to explore a pathway that could make Canada its first associate member.

The proposal comes as Canada seeks to diversify its international economic relationships amid persistent tensions with the United States. Trade between the two North American neighbours has faced growing pressure since Washington introduced tariffs on a range of Canadian products, including steel, aluminium, vehicles and automotive components.

Ottawa has responded with countermeasures targeting selected US imports, while Canadian officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of reducing the country's dependence on the American market.

The European Union has emerged as one of Canada's key partners in this diversification strategy. A closer relationship with Brussels could provide Ottawa with additional opportunities for trade, investment and political cooperation while strengthening its links with European economies.

For Washington, however, a deeper Canada-EU relationship could add another layer to already strained transatlantic and North American trade relations. Trump's latest warning suggests that the issue could become part of broader negotiations over tariffs and market access between the United States and its major trading partners.