EU rolls out red carpet to Canada to become its first 'associate member'

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney listens to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her annual State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Sept. 16, 2026. Von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU's first "associate member." Jean-Christophe-Verhaegen/AFP hide caption

BRUSSELS — The European Union is proposing a new kind of relationship with Canada, one that could make it the EU's first-ever "associate member" — a model that does not currently exist.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the proposal Wednesday during her annual State of the Union address , with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sitting in the European Parliament as her special guest.

"Dear Mark," von der Leyen said, "Europe and Canada believe in democracy, that power does not belong to the strongest, richest and loudest, but to all of us."

And adding the key phrase to her prepared remarks, seen by NPR, which did not include it, von der Leyen went on: "I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union."

The announcement drew a standing ovation from lawmakers and dignitaries in the chamber, as von der Leyen and Carney exchanged kisses on the cheeks.

The moment comes as the EU and Canada look to strengthen their partnership amid increasingly difficult relations with Washington under President Trump.

Von der Leyen stressed that the proposed relationship was not "against anyone." But the very fact she felt she had to emphasize that made the context even more obvious.