European Commission President von der Leyen raised possibility of Canada’s associate EU membership — Taipei Times

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the possibility of Canada obtaining associate membership in the European Union. This was stated in a Bloomberg Opinion editorial column published by the Taipei Times. The column also notes that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney appears open to the idea.

The authors emphasize that the specific substance of such a format remains unclear. It is also unknown whether the Canadian government and the governments of EU member states would support such an arrangement after its details are agreed.

Trade ties

According to the column’s authors, Canada seeks to strengthen relations with other countries amid Washington’s tariff policy. The United States and Canada have a closely integrated trading system, and its weakening harms both countries. At the same time, the column says, the impact is particularly strong for Canada’s smaller and more specialized economy.

Closer ties with the EU could create mutual benefits and new opportunities, as well as demonstrate to Washington that Ottawa has alternatives, the authors believe. They add that the European Union does not have a ready-made model for associate membership.

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Possible models

Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as members of the European Economic Area, are part of the EU single market but do not participate in making the Union’s rules. The authors suggest that the Canadian government and Canadians would be unlikely to agree to a similar status.

If Canada were to gain real influence over EU rules, Norway and other partners could demand the same conditions. According to the authors, this option would be a radical change for the EU and would likely require a new comprehensive treaty and the unanimous consent of the bloc’s current members.

The authors consider a complex system of separate agreements, similar to the EU’s relations with Switzerland, to be more likely. They also warn Ottawa not to complicate a possible future restoration of close partnership with the United States.