Washington (ANTARA) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, on\nThursday (17\/9), highlighted the \u201cpositive\u201d aspect of Canada\u2019s approach\nto strengthening relations with the European Union, following US\nPresident Donald Trump\u2019s threat to halt all trade with Europe if Ottawa\nbecomes an associate member of the bloc.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday (16\/9), the US leader threatened to cease trade with the\nEuropean Union if Canada joins the EU as an associate member and if the\nprocess is carried out \u201cin bad faith\u201d. He characterised such a move as\nan entirely hostile action.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will only observe. This is a positive initiative. It is a big and\npositive step. It is about building something for society, creating\nopportunities. Think of the opportunities for people in Europe and\nCanada,\u201d said Carney.<\/p>\n
The Canadian Prime Minister stated that the goal of deepening\nCanada\u2019s partnership with the European Union is to create a better\nfuture for Canadian and European citizens, rather than acting as a\n\u201creaction\u201d to external pressures.<\/p>\n
In her State of the Union address to the European Parliament on\nWednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated\nthere are plans to make Canada the European Union\u2019s first \u201cassociate\nmember\u201d. The State of the Union is the annual address by the President\nof the European Commission to the European Parliament regarding the\ncondition, challenges, and policy direction of the EU.<\/p>\n
Ursula von der Leyen also noted that both parties will elevate their\nrelationship from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)\ntowards a higher level of partnership.<\/p>\n
The Canadian government is seeking to diversify its international\ntrade partnerships amidst ongoing trade disputes with the United\nStates.<\/p>\n
At the end of August, Carney indicated that Canada and the European\nUnion would hold intensive talks during the autumn to strengthen\neconomic and security partnerships.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/canada-and-eu-strengthen-partnership-amid-tensions-with-us-1789732949", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }