Trump Threatens Sanctions on EU Over Canada Membership Plans
On Wednesday (16/9), US President Donald Trump responded to the European Union’s plan to make Canada an associate member of the bloc with threats and mockery.
In her annual speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU is opening its doors for Canada to become its first associate member. According to Von der Leyen, it is time for the EU and Canada to move from trade cooperation towards an alliance and to “bring the relationship with Canada to the highest possible level.”
“We will cooperate in smart manufacturing. We will form a technology alliance. We will integrate the defence industrial base. We will make the Arctic a flagship joint project,” she said. Currently, such a level of cooperative relationship with the EU does not exist, and the execution of this plan must be built from the ground up.
Regarding Trump’s response to the idea of Canada becoming an EU associate member, Trump stated that the idea could be a “hostile act”. In response to the idea, he threatened to impose sanctions on the European Union.
“If they do that, if I believe it is a hostile act, I will impose very serious tariffs or stop trade with Europe for many things,” Trump told reporters while travelling to an event in North Carolina. The US President also described the possibility of Canada joining the EU as something “ridiculous”.
The idea of Canada becoming an EU associate member emerged as Trump, in his second term, has shaken relations with his northern neighbour. Canada was among the first countries affected by Trump’s tariff policies.
Tensions between Ottawa and Washington have increased after negotiations last month reached a deadlock. Trump subsequently imposed additional sanctions on Canada. On the other hand, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to provide an equivalent response.
US transatlantic relations have also deteriorated under the Trump administration, particularly after the US President pushed for the takeover of Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The European Union has also been hit by massive tariffs imposed by Trump, as has much of the world. However, both parties later reached a trade agreement to reduce those tariffs.