Canada's Carney seeks EU 'associate member' status amid trade war with US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking closer ties with the European Union and exploring the possibility of Canada becoming an "associate member" of the bloc, a status that does not currently exist. The escalating trade war between Canada and the United States has spurred this strategic reorientation toward other partners. European and Canadian officials say the EU is open to the idea, with discussions covering free movement of goods, services, and workers in sectors like energy, AI, and critical minerals, as well as joint infrastructure projects. The plan faces significant hurdles, as even a more modest Canada-EU trade agreement has not been ratified by all member states nine years after provisional application. Carney has discussed visa-free work and residency for Canadians with French President Emmanuel Macron, with a meeting planned later this month.