Canada could gain an unprecedented position in relations with the European Union.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed that Canada become the first country with the special status of an associated EU member. As CNN writes, the proposal comes at a time when Canada and the European Union are trying to further strengthen economic ties due to growing trade tensions with the United States.

Canada seeks greater economic security

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has for some time been advocating a significantly closer relationship with Europe. Canada is strongly economically connected to the US, its largest trading partner, so Ottawa is now trying to expand cooperation with other major markets and thus reduce dependence on a single partner. Carney previously announced the creation of a special security and economic alliance with the European Union.

The new cooperation could include technology, artificial intelligence, energy, critical minerals, the defense industry, and easier trade. Canada and the EU already have the CETA trade agreement, but now talks are underway about a significantly broader relationship. The official office of the Canadian prime minister confirmed that the two sides want to jointly define a new model of cooperation.

Canada is still not becoming a regular EU member

It is important to emphasize that the proposal does not mean that Canada is becoming a full member of the European Union. The status of associated member is currently not defined at all by EU treaties, so it is still unclear what rights and obligations Canada would have. Full membership under the current rules is available to European countries, which is why a completely new form of cooperation is being sought for Canada.

Economic ties are already substantial. Trade in goods and services between Canada and the European Union reached around 130.8 billion euros last year, and over the past ten years it has grown by more than 80 percent. That is precisely why additional rapprochement could have significantly greater importance than an ordinary political agreement.

For now, this is a proposal, not a finalized agreement. Canada and the European Union want to significantly deepen cooperation, but they still need to agree on what the new status would specifically mean and secure the necessary political support within the EU. Trump's tariff threat shows that this rapprochement between Europe and Canada will at the same time be closely watched in Washington.