Irish Finance Minister: The EU’s rapprochement with Canada does not mean a weaker relationship with the US

Simon Harris stated that closer ties between the European Union and Canada will not damage the relationship between the bloc and the United States. The statement was made after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Ottawa be granted “associated member” status in the EU.

The idea was criticized by US President Donald Trump, who warned that closer ties between the EU and Canada could be considered a “hostile act” and could attract “very high” tariffs. Harris played down the reaction and emphasized the economic and trade interdependence between the European Union and the United States.

The Irish minister said that the EU should not have to choose between its relations with Washington and Ottawa. He described the proposal concerning associated membership as “truly interesting,” mentioning cooperation in areas such as climate change, cybersecurity, and critical raw materials.

Closer ties between the EU and Canada are taking place against the backdrop of intensified diplomatic and economic contacts. Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is attending the meeting of EU finance ministers in Dublin, while European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño is set to visit Ottawa for talks on economic cooperation.