Trump weighs how hostile Canada’s drift toward the EU really is

Donald Trump said Wednesday that a European move to bring Canada closer as an “associate member” could trigger new U.S. tariffs if he judged it hostile.

Speaking to reporters after landing in Charlotte, North Carolina, Trump called Canada “a terrible trade partner” and dismissed the idea as “laughable.” He added: “If they do that, if I think it’s at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things.” He then drew a line on intent: “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.”

The comments came hours after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg to propose opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was in the chamber. Lawmakers gave him a standing ovation; von der Leyen walked over and embraced him after the line. She framed the idea as part of an “Alliance for the Future” built on the existing CETA trade deal and covering defence industry, critical minerals, energy, AI, the Arctic and supply chains. Carney is scheduled to address the European Parliament on Thursday.

Von der Leyen courts Canada as first associate member in State of the Union speech

The proposal does not exist in current EU treaties, and some EU capitals said they were not consulted in advance. Ottawa has described the goal as a “unique alliance,” not full membership. Canada’s incoming ambassador to the EU said associate status had been discussed but that Ottawa was not “there” yet.

The backdrop is a sharp breakdown in U.S.–Canada relations since Trump returned to office. After trade talks collapsed in August, Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in Canadian goods, including steel, autos and other products. Ottawa answered on 8 September with matching duties on U.S. goods. Trump has since directed federal agencies to drop Canadian products from U.S. government procurement, threatened further sectoral tariffs and bans, and repeatedly said the United States does not need Canada. He has also spoken of treating Canada like a U.S. state. About 70 percent of Canadian exports still go to the United States, which is why Carney has made diversification – especially toward Europe – a central part of his response.

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Carney’s main public events in Strasbourg today are an address to the European Parliament plenary at 11:30 local time, followed by a joint press conference with Parliament President Roberta Metsola at 12:30. Those appearances follow Wednesday’s State of the Union session, where he sat in the chamber as Ursula von der Leyen floated associate-member status for Canada, and a side trip across the Channel to meet the new British prime minister before returning to Strasbourg.

Caption: European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola and Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney arrive at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, 16 September 2026. Carney will hold meeting in Strasbourg to strengthen Canada’s ties with the EU in trade, investment, and security. EPA/RONALD WITTEK