Canada's Carney weighs EU associate membership for closer ties

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering pursuing "associate membership" in the European Union for Canada, according to The Wall Street Journal, as he seeks closer ties with the bloc. The status has yet to be defined, but the EU is reportedly open to the idea, which would involve free movement of goods, services, and workers in strategic sectors like energy, AI, and defense. Discussions also include undersea cables, data centers, and energy infrastructure, with Carney regularly discussing visa-free rights with leaders like France's Emmanuel Macron. The initiative follows a sharp deterioration in Canada-US relations under Donald Trump, including tariffs on billions in trade. However, integration faces challenges, as a simpler trade deal remains unratified by some EU states over a decade later.