The US president threatened heavy tariffs and stated the US may minimize some commerce with Europe over the proposed standing.
Printed On 17 Sep 2026
United States President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with new tariffs over its proposal to make Canada the bloc’s first “affiliate member”, suggesting the transfer may very well be thought of hostile to the US.
Talking to reporters in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday, Trump stated his response would rely upon what European leaders had been attempting to attain.
Beneficial Tales
record of 4 gadgetsfinish of record
“If it’s a superb intention, that’s advantageous. If it’s a foul intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs,” Trump stated. He additionally urged the US may cease buying and selling with Europe “on many issues”.
Trump dismissed the prospect of Canada becoming a member of the EU as “laughable” and known as the US’s northern neighbour a “horrible commerce associate”.
His feedback got here simply hours after European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to turn out to be the EU’s first “affiliate member”, as Ottawa appears to construct nearer ties with Europe amid a deteriorating relationship with Washington.
What precisely “affiliate membership” would appear to be, nevertheless, stays unclear.
The standing doesn’t at the moment exist beneath EU treaties, and von der Leyen didn’t spell out what rights or obligations would include it. Any proposal would additionally want the backing of EU member states.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s workplace welcomed the prospect of a “far stronger, extra bold alliance sooner or later”, however stopped wanting endorsing affiliate membership particularly.
Carney has beforehand described what Canada is pursuing as a “distinctive alliance” with Europe relatively than membership within the bloc.
Canada and the EU are already nearer cooperation on commerce, know-how, defence, vitality, important minerals and the Arctic, with extra detailed talks anticipated at a Canada-EU summit in Montreal subsequent month.
The push comes as Canada appears to scale back its financial dependence on the US amid an escalating trade dispute between the 2 neighbours.
