What is an 'Associated Member' of the EU and why Canada is the first candidate country

Addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Strasbourg, von der Leyen said she wants to lead the relationship to the "highest possible level" in this "openly hostile world." Canada has moved closer to the European Union as relations with Washington have cooled under Trump. Trade talks collapsed in August 2026, and Trump responded with punitive tariffs of 25% to 50% on Canadian products. He also threatened the country's sovereignty, making comments about absorbing Canada and turning it into "the 51st state of the USA." For geographical reasons, Canada cannot pursue full integration into the EU; therefore, the European Commission proposes a new status of "connected member." Because this is not…