Key facts
- Canada is exploring becoming an "associate member" of the European Union.
- The EU is reportedly open to creating a new associate membership status for Canada.
- The initiative aims to allow free movement of goods, services, and workers in strategic supply chains.
- Discussions involve joint projects in energy, AI, defense, and critical minerals.
- Visa-free living and working arrangements for Canadians in the EU have been discussed.
BRUSSELS, Sept. 13 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is exploring the possibility of Canada becoming an "associate member" of the European Union, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing unnamed officials from both the EU and Canada. The EU, which has historically maintained strict membership rules, is reportedly open to creating a new status for Canada.
The initiative, driven in part by Canada's escalating trade disputes with the United States under President Donald Trump, aims to foster closer ties and facilitate the free movement of goods, services, and workers in strategic sectors such as energy, AI, defense, and critical minerals. The Wall Street Journal reported that discussions also include potential joint projects such as laying underwater cables, constructing data centers, cloud storage, satellite networks, and shipping Canadian energy to the EU.