Trump’s Tariff Warning as EU Opens Door for Canada’s Associate Membership

The European Commission signaled it could offer Canada the bloc’s first-ever associate member status — a category not in EU treaties — signaling closer ties as Ottawa seeks to diversify from the U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would impose very serious tariffs or halt trade with Europe if the move proceeds, arguing Canada is a poor trade partner. The proposal would deepen cooperation on manufacturing, defense, tech, energy and Arctic issues, but it still requires approval from EU member states, and no decision has been made.