Canada and the EU abandon associate member status, but are preparing a closer economic and strategic partnership

Canada and the European Union have dropped the proposal to grant Canada associate member status, according to a draft joint statement seen by Reuters ahead of the summit in Montreal, which begins on Thursday, October 29. The two sides will nevertheless continue negotiations to deepen economic, energy, digital, and security cooperation.

The concept of “associate member,” proposed approximately six weeks ago by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, was removed from the document after opposition from several member states, led by Germany. Diplomats argued that the status has neither a clear definition nor a legal basis in the European treaties.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney considers the summit the beginning of a new phase of negotiations, intended to reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States. Nearly 70% of Canadian exports go to the American market, while the EU accounts for approximately 9% of the country’s trade.

The declaration provides for a study on liquefied natural gas exports to Europe, the development of submarine cables, and facilitating youth mobility. Canada and the EU will also discuss aligning regulations in the fields of artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

The rapprochement between Ottawa and Brussels is taking place amid trade tensions with the Donald Trump administration, which criticized the idea of associate status and warned of possible consequences for transatlantic trade relations. Negotiations between Canada and the EU are expected to continue until the summit scheduled for 2027.