EU drops Canada associate member label ahead of Montreal summit
The revised draft text replaces the term with a call for an ever closer association and outlines new infrastructure and labor initiatives.
By Stella Brooks ·
The European Union has removed the language designating Canada as an associate member from a draft joint statement. The change was confirmed by media reports on Thursday before the two sides meet in Montreal. Officials plan to release the final text on Friday.
The shift follows months of internal debate within the bloc. In September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the first associate member of the 27-nation group. The idea aimed to strengthen ties between the two partners as they both seek to reduce reliance on the United States under President Donald Trump.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other leaders pushed to remove the specific title. Diplomats indicated that the terminology divided EU members during negotiations. The new draft now calls for an ever closer association between the two entities. It drops the specific labels of associate member and associated membership entirely.
The revised text includes concrete steps to deepen economic and physical links. It proposes a joint feasibility study on Canadian liquefied natural gas exports to Europe. The document also outlines plans for new subsea cable infrastructure to improve international connectivity between Europe, Canada, and Asia. Additionally, it supports a program enabling young workers from both regions to cross the Atlantic.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting the summit in Montreal. He has prioritized deepening ties with the EU, which is Canada’s second-largest trading partner. This strategy responds to trade frictions with the US, Ottawa’s largest economic partner, which began after Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods. Carney told reporters on Tuesday that the summit will launch formal negotiations that may take a year to complete.
The US reaction to the earlier proposal was sharp. Trump called the idea of Canadian associate membership laughable. He warned that if he viewed the move as a hostile act, the US might stop trading with Europe on many things. Carney downplayed the change in status titles during a press conference on Tuesday.
The good news is it doesn't matter about specific names or nomenclature, Carney said. What matters is the difference it will make to the lives of Canadians.
