Donald Trump Says Canada Joining EU As Associate Member Could Be ‘Hostile Act’, Threatens More Tariffs

US President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with “very heavy tariffs” if he determines that the bloc’s proposal to make Canada its first associate member is intended as a hostile move against the United States. Trump said Wednesday, September 16, that the US could impose “very serious tariffs” or stop trading with Europe on some goods, while calling the prospect of Canada joining the EU “laughable” and describing Canada as a “terrible trade partner.”

The warning came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the EU’s first “associate member” during her annual State of the European Union address. She presented the proposal as part of a broader effort to deepen cooperation between Brussels and Ottawa on trade, technology, defence, energy and strategic resources. Donald Trump Bans Canadian Liquor, Dairy Goods as US-Canada Trade War Escalates.

Donald Trump Warns Of New Tariffs

Trump said the US response would depend on the intentions behind the EU’s proposal, AP reported. “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.” He also suggested that Washington could restrict trade with Europe in certain areas if he regarded the move as hostile.

Trump called the possibility of Canada becoming an EU associate member “laughable” and criticised Canada’s trade relationship with the United States. The remarks come as Washington and Ottawa remain embroiled in a wider trade dispute. The White House has imposed additional duties on selected Canadian goods and has continued to accuse Canada of discriminatory treatment of US products. US-Canada Trade War: Donald Trump Announces 50% Tariffs on Autos and Steel From January 2027.

EU Seeks Closer Ties With Canada

Von der Leyen invited Canada to pursue the new associate-member status during her address to the European Parliament on Wednesday, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attending. The European Commission said the proposal would create a new form of relationship with Canada, with closer cooperation extending beyond the existing trade relationship.

Von der Leyen said: “We will work on intelligent manufacturing. We will create a tech alliance. We will integrate defence industrial bases. We will make the Arctic a flagship joint project.” She also identified energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, cyber security and economic security as areas for deeper cooperation.

“This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength,” she said. Von der Leyen said the EU wanted to “bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.”

Associate Membership Would Be A New EU Model

The EU does not currently have a formal associate-membership category. Canada already has a comprehensive trade agreement with the bloc, known as CETA, alongside a range of bilateral agreements.

The proposed arrangement would therefore represent a new model for the EU’s relationship with a non-member country. Its precise rights, obligations and relationship with the EU single market have yet to be established. The proposal comes as Canada seeks to broaden its economic and security relationships amid increasingly difficult relations with Washington.

Canada Looks To Deepen European Defence Ties

Carney has been pursuing closer links with European countries in areas including trade and defence. Canada has formally applied to join the Joint Expeditionary Force, a British-led military partnership involving 10 European NATO members, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

The move would add another element to Canada’s efforts to expand its defence cooperation beyond the United States. Carney and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also held bilateral discussions on Wednesday, including talks on defence cooperation and artificial intelligence. Both sides stressed the importance of closer ties with European partners.

Trade Tensions Add To Pressure

Trump’s latest warning comes against the backdrop of an escalating US-Canada trade dispute. The White House has recently maintained additional tariffs on certain Canadian products and announced further measures affecting Canadian goods. The US president’s comments also underline the broader sensitivity surrounding Canada’s efforts to strengthen ties with Europe.

For the EU and Canada, the proposed associate-membership arrangement remains at an early stage. Any formal relationship would need to be developed and agreed upon, while the economic and political implications of the proposal remain to be defined.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2026 07:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).