Brussels has been met with significant backlash from European Union diplomats following an announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposing that Canada become an 'associate member' of the bloc. The proposal was unveiled during von der Leyen's annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament and was met with surprise, as EU capitals were not consulted beforehand.
Diplomats told the Mail that they learned of the proposal for the first time when von der Leyen delivered her speech. In her address, she expressed a desire to elevate the relationship with Canada to its highest possible level, repeatedly addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was present in the chamber. "Dear Mark, I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU," von der Leyen stated.
She further elaborated on the shared values and deep connections between the EU and Canada, noting, "We share one ocean, one set of values, one way of seeing the world. And we will now build our shared future as well." This sentiment was echoed in her speech, where she highlighted shared perspectives on issues ranging from AI and climate change to geopolitics and joint support for Ukraine.
However, the announcement was poorly received by many EU diplomats, who indicated that the concept of 'associate membership' as described does not formally exist within the EU's legal framework. "This bombastic announcement is just not right," one diplomat told the Mail. "No one has ever seen an associate membership and no idea what it means in practice."
Another diplomat pointed out that such a significant proposal should originate from the member states. "The member states should be the ones to express what kind of relationship the EU wants to have with any third country," they stated. Concerns were also raised about the lack of prior notification, with one diplomat noting, "She kept this bit of associate membership out of the text until the last moment. She also did not mention it up front to EU member states."
While there is general agreement on the importance of strengthening ties with Canada, the ambiguity surrounding the term 'associate membership' has created uncertainty. Some believe that the most achievable outcome would be a deeper trade relationship rather than a formal membership that could imply greater political integration or influence over EU regulations. Any formal step towards membership would require the unanimous approval of all 27 EU member states.
The timing of the proposal has also drawn criticism, particularly given ongoing trade disputes between the EU and the United States under the Trump administration, which has been engaged in an escalating trade war with Canada. Former Greek politician Yanis Varoufakis also criticized the announcement on social media, questioning the practicality and legitimacy of offering an 'associate membership' that he claims does not exist.